Four papers were presented in a Parallel Session chaired by Dr Forge Gleser (Israel) and these are summarized here. The papers were: (1) "Supporting primary health care physicians" by Dr Galina A. Korchagina of the Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies, St Petersburg, the Russian Federation; (2) "A new role for nurses" by Ms Iveta Kelle, Nursing Consultant, Riga, Latvia; (3) "Broadening the base of treatment" by Dr Nina Kerimi of the Research Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; and (4) "Primary health care and alcohol reduction strategies" by Dr Leo Pas of the Academic Centre of General Practice, Free University Brussels, Belgium. Following a discussion, participants agreed on the wording of a draft Policy for Primary Health Care and Community Action and this is also included here.