Updates to section 6.2.5 Antituberculosis medicines of the 2021 WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Overview

WHO publishes Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) and updates them every two years. The medicines on the lists are selected based on disease prevalence, public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and cost-effectiveness. The Model Lists guide the development and updating of national essential medicines lists, in accordance with local priorities and treatment guidelines. In 2020, WHO published guidance on how to use the Model List to update a national EML.

In early 2021, the WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme, proposed changes to the EML based on its latest recommendations and the current availability of TB medicines. WHO released the latest WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (22nd list) and Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (8th list) in October 2021. The Model Lists are available online, including an easy-to-access, digital version.

This document provides a summary of the updates to section 6.2.5 Antituberculosis medicines of the 2021 WHO EMLs and the rationale behind those updates