E-DRUG: detailed communication re new WHO EDL
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[from our sister list DRUGINFO in South Africa. Thanks, Andy,
for that review! WB]
Hi all
The summary of recommendations from the newly named Expert Committee on
the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines can be accessed at
http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/edl/expertrecommend.shtml
- some of the changes include:
* a broader recommendation regarding the inclusion of combination
products - "Most essential medicines should be formulated as single
compounds. Fixed dose combination products are selected only when the
combination has a proven advantage in therapeutic effect, safety,
adherence or in delaying the development of drug resistance in malaria,
tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS."
* setting priorities for review, including this: "The section on
antihypertensive drugs should be reviewed as soon as the new WHO/ISH
treatment guidelines are available. In the light of this review other
medicines on the Model List such as reserpine, methyldopa, hydralazine
and nifedipine should also be reviewed. "
* changing the presentation of the list - "in addition to its usual
presentation the printed version of the Model Lists should also be
presented in the 5-level Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC)
classification."
The 12th Model EDL, which "contains 325 active substances which include
12 ARVs and over 60 other essential medicines for HIV-related care,
including drugs against opportunistic infections", is presented in three
parts:
-the core EDL can be accessed at
http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/edl/edl2002core.doc,
- a complementary list ("The complementary list presents essential
medicines for priority diseases which are efficacious, safe and
cost-effective but not necessarily affordable, or for which specialised
health care facilities or services may be needed") at
http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/edl/edl2002complement.doc,
and
- a separate listing of the antivirals (also in the core list) at
http://www.who.int/medicines/organization/par/edl/edl2002antivirals.doc
In addition, the EBM web site also has these extensive notes (in full
below, with links to the sources added) that accompany the decisions.
Altogether a most impressive and timeous set of documentation.
regards
Andy