Abstract
How to promote pharmacology in resource-strained countries? First by freely-available web-based databases and pharmacology-learning facilities. IUPHAR with 68 member societies (～35,000 pharmacologists), is an NGO to WHO, and has set up freely-available web-based databases on drug targets and education, in conjunction with a strong alliance with the British Pharmacological society (BPS), producing the IUPHAR/BPS guidetopharmacology.org, and the Concise Guide to Pharmacology. The nomenclature committee of IUPHAR (NC-IUPHAR) ensures that this guide to drug targets is supported by >90 subcommittees of ～860 expert scientists, in a unique cooperative international initiative. The receptor reviews are highly cited (h-index 84). IUIS (immunology) and IUPHAR are collaborating on inflammation and immune system research as immunopharmacological drug targets are crucial for new drug discovery, and the new database guide to immunopharmacology is now freely available. We are endeavouring to raise funds for a major initiative to supply simple immunopharmacological protocols which can be used for scientists in developing countries. We have now created an alliance with the Medicines for Malaria Venture to create a freely available website on drug targets for malaria research.
Natural product research is frequently a major issue in resource-strained companies and IUPHAR brings together two different worlds by creating synergies between them, rather than independent research, and increasing mechanistic background via databases. Scientific education to the developing (and developed) world via our publicly available web sites (Pharmacology Education Project) is a major issue for IUPHAR. We have set up six clinical mentoring centres which provide free advice for clinical scientists in developing countries. A series of clinical workshops on regulatory and other issues have also been held.
IUPHAR, through its IOSP initiative, has been running short courses in in-vivo pharmacology, predominately in Africa, since 2007, via David Lewis (Chair, IUPHAR IOSP) - these have now been extended via the Chinese Pharmacological Society, in two Chinese Institutions, promoting good practice in animal welfare, ethics and the 3Rs, but also pharmacology education. We wish to lever central research funding in India, China, South America, Africa, via the pharmacological societies, with European or US funding to create multiple synergies for pharmacology research and education.
