Introduction

The 2nd Annual International Conference of Northeast Pharmacy Research 2010 is organized under the action plan of Mahasarakham University's academic services (year 2005-2014), which aims to provide academic services to the public, focusing on the demands of the community and the development of the country.
This annual event is coordinated by the three pharmacy faculties based in the northeast region ofThailand (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Ratchathani, and Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University), also known as the Isan Pharmacy group. Last year's conference was hosted by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University. The principal aim of the conference was to facilitate the development of student research skills at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for young researchers to exchange knowledge with colleagues, and with national and international experts. In addition, sustainable research collaborations between participants were developed. Research presented at the conference was well received and subsequently published in both national and international academic journals.
The 2nd Annual International Conference of Northeast Pharmacy Research has been organized under the theme “Sustainable Pharmacy”. The aim of the 2010 event is to build upon the achievements of the 2009 conference, giving both newcomers and previous participants a chance to broaden their knowledge, present their research, make contacts, and forge new collaborations. It is also hoped that the conference will encourage practising pharmacists to become involved in research in their hospitals, pharmacies and other workplaces.
The forthcoming conference is proudly hosted by the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Thailand. Six renowned international experts in various pharmacy specialties have accepted invitations to give keynote lectures including: Dr. Krisana Kraisintu (2009 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Thailand), Prof. Adolf Nahrstedt (University of Muenster, Germany), Assoc. Prof. Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman (University Sains Malaysia, Malaysia), Assoc. Prof. Jiraporn Limpananont (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand), Dr. Margaret Watson (University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom), and Dr. Tadashi Kasahara (Keio University, Japan). These lectures will be related to the management of limited resources in an ever-changing world, a crucial and challenging task at the present time.

Objectives

1.	To support the development of pharmacy and pharmacy-related research in Thailand and other countries.
2.	To facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise between researchers in pharmacy and related sciences.
3.	To provide a convivial atmosphere in which undergraduate and graduate students can gain experience presenting research at an international level.
4.	To encourage research collaboration at both a national and international level.
Please note that attendance of the conference counts towards the continuing pharmacy education (CPE) for Thai pharmacists.