Review of five paradigm papers on economic, biomedical, community, sociocultural and political perspectives in improving use of medicines.

This paper presents a review of five paradigm presentations at the first International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines (ICIUM) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, April 1-4, 1997. The paradigm papers covered economic, biomedical, community, socio-cultural and political approaches in improving the use of medicines. Salient points on problems examined by each of the paradigms, limitations of each paradigm, and challenges to be tackled are highlighted in the review from the view point of a health care provider. Some common features of the five paradigms relating to problems in medicine use have been reviewed. These features could provide bases for reaching consensus in finding solutions to some of the burning issues in the area of medicine use. It is becoming increasingly clear that there is growing concern about the way medicines are used: is it rational and in the best interest of the patients?