Governments and policy-makers are aiming to improve health markets in developing countries as they take up the challenge of last year's United Nations resolution to move towards universal health coverage (see go.nature.com/acsmss). We caution that they must do more than simply legislate their way to a more orderly health system.

We have highlighted the risks associated with unregulated health-care services and products in developing countries (Nature 487, 163–165; 2012). We now wish to draw governments' attention to improvements proposed at a conference on securing international agreements on future health markets.

A small group of health policy-makers, entrepreneurs, academics and funders met in Bellagio, Italy, at the end of last year. Among their recommendations were that countries should establish systems for collecting better basic health-market data for incorporation into local policy and management processes, and that they should organize funds to promote sound regulatory practice (see go.nature.com/npsdvg).

The group called for a major effort by all market players to test innovative regulatory approaches and business models to improve access to safe and effective health services in the developing world.