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Essential Medicines

Essential Medicines

The WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) defines the minimum medicine needs for a basic healthcare system. It lists the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines for priority conditions. They select which conditions to include based on patients' current and forecasted needs and the potential for safe and cost‐effective treatment.

We regularly review the EML to identify other medicines for skin disease that we believe should be added to the list.

2020
  • Proposed 2 updates to the EML:
    • Calcipotriol (calcipotriene) for psoriasis
    • Hydroxycholoroquine for dermatological conditions
  • Calcipotriol accepted
  • Hydroxycholoroquine rejected
  • Position statement drafted on the safe and appropriate use of topical corticosteroids, addressing misuse
  • ILDS Statement developed to assist with national advocacy
2019
  • Successfully applied to add ivermectin for treatment of scabies
2017
  • Worked with the Global Action Fund for Fungal Infection (GAFFI) to get itraconazole and voriconazole added
  • Will help to treat 300 million sufferers per year

Take a look at the WHO Essential Medicines List

View the current EML