WHO Drug Information Vol. 25, No. 2, 2011

WHO Drug Information Vol. 25, No. 2, 2011Recent Publications,Information and EventsSelection and use of medicinesWorld Health Organization — The 18thmeeting of the WHO Expert Committeeon the Selection and Use of EssentialMedicines took place in Accra, Ghana on21–25 March 2011. The purpose of themeeting was to review and update theWHO Model List of Essential Medicines(EML) as well as the WHO Model List ofEssential Medicines for Children (EMLc).In accordance with its approved procedures,the Committee evaluated thescientific evidence on the comparativeeffectiveness, safety and cost effectivenessof medicines and updated the WHOModel List of Essential Medicines and theModel List of Essential Medicines forChildren. The Committee:• Approved the addition of 16 new medicinesto the EML.• Approved the deletion of 13 medicinesfrom the EML.• Approved new indications for 4 medicinesalready listed on the EML.• Approved the addition of a new dosageform or strength for 4 medicines alreadyon the EML.• Rejected 9 applications for the additionof a medicine to EML.• Approved the addition of 16 new medicinesto the EMLc.• Approved the deletion of 15 medicinesfrom the EMLc,• Rejected 3 applications for the additionof a new medicine to the EMLc.Some of the main recommendationsmade, in order of their appearance on theEML, were:• Section 6: addition of artesunate +amodiaquine combination tablet for thetreatment of malaria in adults andchildren, in line with current WHOtreatment guidelines. In making itsdecision, the 2011 Committee reviewedthe latest clinical evidence and theinformation about licensing in severalcountries of the fixed dose combinationtablet. The Committee noted thatappropriate doses of both medicinescan also be achieved using combinationsof the mono-component products,including as co-blistered presentations.• Section 10: addition of tranexamic acidinjection for the treatment of adultpatients with trauma and significant riskof ongoing haemorrhage. On the basisof the results of a very large trial of theuse of tranexamic acid specifically fortrauma patients — including those whohave been in road traffic accidents, theCommittee concluded that there issufficient evidence to support theproposal that listing tranexamic acidmay contribute to a reduction in thiscause of death.• Section 18.5 : addition of glucagoninjection, 1 mg/ml to treat acute severehypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes,to support efforts in many countriesto ensure appropriate treatment of theincreasing number of patients withdiabetes. The Committee also recommendedthat careful attention be paid tothe cost of procuring glucagon andnoted that based on experience withother high cost medicines, such as131