The need for unbiased education on the proper use of cardiovascular drugs has never been greater. Multiple large-scale trials have provided remarkable evidence for benefit of some drugs in some disease entities, and equally remarkable evidence for apparent lack of benefit of other drugs in other conditions. Physicians have access to all these drugs for their patients and the appropriate and inappropriate applications are becoming more confusing.

The problem is not alleviated by growing confrontation between pharmaceutical companies and government regulators. Companies are always seeking ways to place their products in a favorable light, even when data may suggest otherwise, and regulatory restrictions on marketing are blunt tools that do not always result in a helpful message. Furthermore, the growingly Draconian restrictions on educational efforts of those who have received any support from industry have muddied the educational stream.

The ISCP appreciates its potential role in this process as the only international organization dedicated to improving worldwide use of cardiovascular drugs. The power of these drugs to alter the course of cardiovascular disease is now well-established. Mobilizing the health-care systems and the public to take advantage of the potential for appropriate use of these drugs is still a work in progress. That the Society can address this educational gap without the bias of industry involvement is a key ingredient to our success.

The immediate goals of ISCP are to utilize our new and enhanced website and the forums provided by national cardiovascular meetings to provide up-to-date, unbiased appraisals of optimal prescription of drugs. Enhanced cardiovascular health worldwide should be the target of our efforts.