Medicines Management in Older Persons
13-16 October 2004 The International Institute on Ageing, United Nations-Malta (INIA) is holding the Medicines Management in Older Persons Conference in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Malta, Zammit Clapp Hospital, the SIG-Geriatrics of the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy and the Ministry for Health, Elderly and Community Services.  The conference is held between 13 and 16 October 2004 at the Forum Hotel in Malta. Over 70 different health professionals from over 15 developing and developed countries are participating at the conference.

During the conference current trends in prescribing in older persons will be presented. The plenary sessions will deal with current topics  on the use of medicines in older persons, the management of chronic diseases and improvement of quality of life of older persons.  The multidisciplinary background of the participants provides an opportunity for different perspectives to be presented and discussed during the various workshops.  The following topics will be discussed:  prevention of falls and fractures, management of patients with Parkinson's disease, medication management in diabetes mellitus and hypertension, patient compliance and patient monitoring.

Professor Cameron Swift (United Kingdom) and Professor Georges Zelger (Switzerland) will be participating in Round Table Discussions on medicine use in the older person and on the development of drug formularies and protocols on rational drug use for older persons.  A debate led by Dr Kees de Joncheere (WHO Europe, Denmark) will be held on ėThe WHO Essential Drug List in developing countries is a barrier to good older patient careķ.  Sixteen papers are being presented by local and foreign participants.  The conference will be closed on 16 October 2004 by the Hon Dr Louis Deguara Minister for Health, Elderly and Community Services.

Further information is available from Dr Lilian M. Azzopardi tel 21 344971 or email:  lilmaz@maltanet.net.