Developing a global perspective ondrug consumption patterns and trends—thechallenge for drug epidemiology

The purpose of the present paper is to review progress made towards improving drug consumption information at a global level. The paper reviews methodological developments achieved through the collaboration of international experts and organizations in the field of drug use epidemiology at two global meetings. The first was held in January 2000 to develop a consensus on the principles, structures and indicators underpinning drug information systems, and the second in December 2001 to review methods used by regional epidemiological networks and identify opportunities for methodological development, future collaboration and improved working practices. Discussions at these meetings were successful in developing a framework for improved data collection practices at the global level, and showed considerable progress had been made in the coverage and quality of data collected. The use of drug information networks has played a key role in this developmental process by fostering the systematic collection and interpretation of data and providing a forum for the sharing of information and experiences across disciplines and geographic regions. Remaining challenges for data collection at the global level centre on the development of robust low-cost methods of collection that can be adapted to all regions of the world, as well as on the need for ongoing interregional collaboration to foster this