Kuwaiti Pharmacists discuss self-medication
21-23 February 2004

At the invitation of the Kuwaiti Association of Pharmacists, WSMI DG David Webber attended the 6th Kuwait Pharmaceutical Association Conference in Kuwait on 21-23 February 2004. The overall conference was entitled ‘Pharmaceutical Care in Kuwait’ and an afternoon session was dedicated to the topic of Self-Medication. Dr Webber provided the introductory presentation entitled ‘Self-Medication: Global View’ and the closing presentation entitled ‘Self-Medication in GCC Countries: Industry-Pharmacy Partnerships’. Other presentations were provided by KPA’s Ghaya Al-Saad, WHO’s Dr Abdul Saleh, university researcher Dr Eman Abahussain and former WSMI DG Dr Jerome Reinstein. The conference was well attended by Kuwaiti pharmacists and regulators from other countries in the region. Self-medication in the Middle East is not well developed and this meeting provided an excellent opportunity to discuss recent developments around the world, and the opportunities that exist for patients and consumers in Kuwait and the region, to have improved healthcare.