Refocusing the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines on the needs of low and middle income countries

Key messagesThe World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines promotes equitable access to medicines for the priority health needs of the populationBut an increasing number of applications for very expensive and highly specialised medicines is challenging its global reputationWHO should reconfirm the original goals of the model list as a globally relevant model process with, as a practical example, a model list specifically geared to the needs of low and middle income countriesWHO should enhance the functionality of the publicly accessible searchable electronic database of all decision data, including rejections, to aid national formulary committees and maintain the model list’s future relevanceFirst published in 1977, the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines has been one of the most effective and recognised tools to promote equitable access to medicines, prioritising those that satisfy the health priorities of the population.12 Essential medicines are “selected with due regard of…
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