Biomedical Research in Developing Countries - UNICRI

European Medical Writers Association
EMWA 42 is an association dedicated to enhancing the professional skills of medical
writers. It has issued its “Guidelines on the role of medical writers in developing
peer-reviewed publications” 43 . Through its Ghostwriting Task Force, the Association
is very active in clarifying the main issues surrounding this aspect of medical
writing. In 2005 a Delphi consultation was held aimed to assess problems and to
establish criteria for ensuring a positive and ethical role for this practice 44 .
Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical Editors
EMAME 45 is a non-governmental organization established in 2003 and hosted by
the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. The Association supports
and promotes medical journalism in the region through an annual conference,
educational materials and exchange of information and knowledge among its
members. The Association also supports open/special access to medical journals for
resource-limited countries, through the WHO HINARI Initiative 46 .
Forum for African Medical Editors
FAME 47 is a network of African editors and journals hosted by the WHO-TDR and
located in Nairobi, Kenya. It was created in 2003 and in 2005 the group issued its
own editorial guidelines, in order to standardize the practices of the journals in the
Region, improve quality and visibility. The Forum also promotes training workshop
for editors, reviewers and investigators.
42 http://www.emwa.org/ (accessed in June 2008).
43 Jacobs A., Wager E., European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) guidelines on the role of medical writers in
developing peer-reviewed publications, Curr. Med. Res. Opin. 2005; 21:317-321
44 Jacobs A., The involvement of professional medical writers in medical publications: results of a Delphi study, Curr.
Med. Res. and Opin., 2005, 21:2, 311–316
45 http://www.emro.who.int/EMAME/ (accessed in June 2008).
46 http://www.who.int/hinari/en/ (accessed in June 2008).
47 http://www.who.int/tdr/networking/fame/ (accessed in June 2008).
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