Changes to 2019 WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for adults (EML) and Model List of Essential Medicines for children (EMLc)

This summary reports the recommendations made by the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines for the 2019 Essential Medicines Lists update.

The 22nd meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1 to 5 April 2019. The aim of the meeting was to review and update the 20th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the 6th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc).

The Expert Committee considered 65 applications, including proposals to add 53 new medicines and new formulations of 19 existing medicines, extend the indications for 34 listed medicines, and to remove 10 medicines or formulations from the lists. The Expert Committee also considered reports and recommendations from the EML Antibiotics and Cancer Medicines Working Groups. In accordance with applicable procedures, the Expert Committee evaluated the scientific evidence for the comparative effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of the medicines in question.