Dear Colleagues,

Please join me in Philadelphia, August 21-24, to experience a revolutionary event in the Society's history. This year marks the 1st International Conference on Therapeutic Risk Management, which will be held in conjunction with the 19th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology. Plan to be part of history in the making!

The Scientific Program Committee has assembled an outstanding program on pharmacoepidemiology and therapeutic risk management. This year's conference begins Thursday, August 21, with two highly popular ISPE educational programs: Introduction to Pharmacoepi (morning), and Advanced Topics in Pharmacoepi (afternoon).

Robert M. Califf's keynote address is certain to be insightful. Thomas M. MacDonald will share his views about the future of ISPE in his Presidential Address. The "Hot Topics" session is titled Smallpox Vaccinations: From Policy to Implementation. You will not want to miss Samuel Shapiro's Special Invited Lecture, "Looking to the 21st century. Have we learned from our mistakes, or are we doomed to compound them?" Of course there will symposia, workshops, oral presentations and more than 350 poster presentations, exhibitors, and time to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

I am delighted you will have the opportunity to experience my home city of Philadelphia, America's first capital, and its vibrant, eminently walkable city center. Philadelphia is home to renowned restaurants and cultural attractions, as well as to charming neighborhoods, interesting architecture, and inviting public squares. Be sure to pull yourself away from the meeting long enough to acquaint yourself with Philadelphia — you won't regret it!

The ISPE website www.pharmacoepi.org will be updated periodically with registration and meeting information. The Early Bird registration deadline is July 16.

I look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!

Sean Hennessy

Chair, 2003 Scientific Program Committee