The future of medicines use and access research: using the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice as a platform for change

Scientific journals are most often used to disseminate the end products of research, but also have an important role as instruments of change. One year after the launch of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, the focus of articles published has been on pharmaceutical health systems research, including contemporary issues related to medicines management, socio-behavioral aspects of pharmacy and macro pharmaceutical issues. Our most cited articles ranged from those on generic medicines in Jordan [1], antibiotics sensitivity, usage and access in India and Namibia [2,3], to a review of national medicines policies around the globe [4]. At this point the Journal has successfully provided a forum to publish within its specified themes. However, given the technological and social changes in health, medicines and public policy, we are keen to promote the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice as a platform for change, in order to advance specific agendas. We would argue that this change agenda is underpinned by the following issues: