A joint conference on therapeutics with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine was held at the Royal College of Physicians on 28 June 1995, organised by Professor M C L'E Orme. A wide variety of topics was covered ranging from management of acute poisoning to the treatment of myocardial infarction, as well as the teaching of therapeutics in the new undergraduate medical curriculum. The aim of the conference was to provide an overview of the most recent therapeutic developments and controversies in the specific subject areas covered.