Recently, it has been recognised that it can be possible to identify the individual genetic profiles of patients in terms of their susceptibility to treatment with medicines as well as their susceptibility to the side effects of such medicines. This has enabled a paradigm shift towards the success of a new medicine. Knowledge about the individual genome has clearly opened up huge scientific opportunities, but is accompanied by a significant need to identify, discuss and attempt to solve aspects of personalized medicine related to society as a whole.

The EFGCP Annual Conference 2010 will tackle the complex issues involved, including the ethics of providing confidential information arising from knowledge of the individual genome, associated economic factors, access to tailor-made treatment and how this should be prioritised. The conference aims to identify the challenges of personalized medicine in the context of society as a whole yet to be met. The various roles of all the stakeholders, from the bench-based scientist to the patient, will all be discussed in the interests of identifying the best possible treatments for the society of the future.

The European Forum for Good Clinical Practice (EFGCP): www.efgcp.be
European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA): www.epda.eu.com