Initiative to progress research on medicine utilization in Africa: formation of the Medicines Utilization Research in Africa group

This 2-day meeting brought together drug utilization (DU) researchers from across Africa. The purpose was to share current DU research findings to further DU research across Africa including the development of a medicines utilization research group. This led to the formation of the Medicines Utilization Research in Africa (MURIA) group, with a tentative vision and mission as well as the first planned research methodology training course and a symposium in Botswana later in the year. Future research projects were also planned including studies on DU of antiretrovirals in Botswana and across Africa as well as ways to enhance the appropriate use of antibiotics and increase generic utilization.