The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the application period is now open ahead of its 25th meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines from 7 to 11 April 2025.
The deadline for submissions is 1 November 2024 and they will be used to revise and update the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc).
Essential medicines are medications that people should have access to at all times in sufficient amounts at generally affordable prices to meet the priority healthcare needs of the population.
Every two years, WHO’s EML and EMLc lists are reviewed and updated based on disease prevalence, resource use, public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness.
Currently, more than 130 countries use the WHO Model List to develop their national essential medicines list and to guide purchasing decisions.
The WHO Model Lists are used to provide countries with an evidence-based model to base their national essential medicine lists, guiding governments, health facilities and procurers to achieve universal health coverage.
The EMLc list was created to ensure that the needs of children are systematically considered, including the availability of proper formulations, which are also included in the main EML list.
Essential medicines on the lists can include anaesthetics, preoperative medicines and medical gases, pain and palliative care, antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis, nervous system diseases and more.
Complying with the format and information requirements expressed in the updated ‘Instructions for applicants’ guide, all applicants are “strongly encouraged” by WHO to contact the EML Secretariat for guidance on preparing submissions in advance of the deadline.
The EML Secretariat aims to provide information, feedback and support to applications to ensure that all submissions meet the mandatory requirements.
Most recently, WHO announced the launch of a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital health promoter prototype, Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health (SARAH), in alignment with World Health Day’s (7 April) 2024 theme ‘My Health, My Right’, which championed the right for everyone, everywhere, to have access to quality health services, education and information.