WHO Publishes Updated Essential Medicines, Diagnostics Lists

Forbes: WHO List of Essential Tests Gets An Upgrade
“Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) published two lists that are critical for global health: the 21st WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML), and the 2nd WHO Model List of Essential Diagnostics (EDL). The purpose of these lists is to help countries prioritize critical health products that should be widely available, accessible, and affordable throughout health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)…” (Pai, 7/9).

Reuters: WHO updates its essential medicines list, adds cancer and stroke drugs
“…The [medicines] list included five new cancer therapies based on improved survival rates for lung, blood, and prostate cancers, and recommended two new immunotherapies — nivolumab and pembrolizumab — that had improved survival rates by 50% for advanced melanoma, which was incurable until recently…” (Miles, 7/9).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.