Essential medicines selection

WHO Expert Committees

The WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines meets every two years to review the latest scientific evidence on the efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of medicines in order to revise and update the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for both adults and children. Committee members are selected from WHO Expert Advisory Panels based on equitable geographical representation, gender balance and professional competencies in order to provide a representation of different approaches and practical experience from all regions of the world.

The next Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines is planned for the first half of 2013. Applications for inclusion, change or deletion of a medicine in the next Model List of Essential Medicines should be sent in the prescribed electronic format to the Secretary of the Committee whose address is given below, before 1 December 2012. Please note that all applications will be posted on the website for public comment and review no later than 15 December 2012.

Official documents

Background information

Procedures for updating the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Contact: emlsecretariat@who.int

Medicine Access and Rational Use (MAR)

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