EFMC welcomes two new member societies

In 2006, the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry represented 21 scientific organisations from 19 European countries. This year, at the annual meeting held in Portoroz, the Council of EFMC unanimously accepted the application of two new members, the Section for Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, German Pharmaceutical Society, and the Medicinal Chemistry Group, Portuguese Chemical Society.
Becoming a member of EFMC requires a formal application which is first discussed within the Executive Committee. If granted by the EC, the application is put on the agenda of the next ordinary Council meeting, where the final decision is made. Main criteria to be considered are the activities of the applicants in the field of Medicinal Chemistry and their legal status as Scientific Organisation within the European Sphere.

The Section of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry of the German Pharmaceutical Society, represented by Prof. Gerhard Klebe, is well established and has about 700 members comprising mainly scientists from academia and industries. Main activities include the organisation of scientific events, donation of prices and supporting the education and training, particular for Pharmacy students.

The Group of Medicinal Chemistry of the Portuguese Chemical Society has recently been created and was represented by Prof. Luisa Sa e Melo and Prof. Rui Moreira. The group is steadily growing and currently comprises already more than 60 members. Starting with the successful meeting “Medicinal Chemistry in the 21st Century” in Lisbon, Oct 2006, the group will organise further events and also expressed its interests to get in touch with our Teaching & Training Committee.

At the Council meeting also several other major decisions have been adopted:

• Gerhard Ecker, Univ. Vienna and currently Secretary of EFMC, was elected to President elect for the year 2008. Subsequently he will serve as President of EFMC in the years 2009-2011.
• The Council unanimously approved several changes in the regulations which guarantee, that both Industry and Academia is represented in the Executive Committee. Furthermore, the Committees have been formalised and are now an integral part of the organisation and management of the Federation
• A new financial framework for the organisation of the International Symposium of Medicinal Chemistry was discussed, which allows EFMC a more reasonable participation on the financial benefits of our flagship event.

By Gerhard Ecker