Every year, hundreds new medicines are approved for sale to the public by health authorities all over the world. To meet required conditions for safety, efficacy and quality, companies are expected to meet stipulated standards and comply with a range of rules, regulations and guidance. This podcast explores the different facets of standards setting and compliance by different actors in the pharmaceutical industry. The first episode is a brief overview of key events that have shaped regulations and helped ensure that today's medicines are safe for society.