A group of chest physicians, general practitioners, clinical pharmacologist and pharmacists appointed by the Institute of Pharmacotherapy, University of Oslo has evaluated the present knowledge about treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease. The group discusses today's medical treatment of this rather numerous group of patients. It is stated that, to a high degree, the treatment of these patients lacks proper documentation, and that treatment needs to be tested out on an individual basis. The group proposes a flow chart for this purpose.