WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children

{{Short description|Formulary}}

{{for|the adult list|WHO Model List of Essential Medicines}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}

The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (aka Essential Medicines List for Children or EMLc{{cite web | title=WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines | website=World Health Organization | url=https://www.who.int/groups/expert-committee-on-selection-and-use-of-essential-medicines/essential-medicines-lists | access-date=15 April 2021 | archive-date=7 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107104721/https://www.who.int/groups/expert-committee-on-selection-and-use-of-essential-medicines/essential-medicines-lists | url-status=live }}), published by the World Health Organization (WHO), contains the medications considered to be most effective and safe in children up to twelve years of age to meet the most important needs in a health system.{{cite web|title=Essential medicines|url=https://www.who.int/medicines/services/essmedicines_def/en/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002110638/http://www.who.int/medicines/services/essmedicines_def/en/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 October 2008|website=World Health Organization|accessdate=20 January 2017}}{{cite book | vauthors = ((World Health Organization)) | year = 2021 | title = The selection and use of essential medicines: report of the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, 2021 (including the 22nd WHO model list of essential medicines and the 8th WHO model list of essential medicines for children) | publisher = World Health Organization | location = Geneva | author-link = World Health Organization | hdl = 10665/351172 | id = WHO technical report series;1035. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO | hdl-access=free | isbn=9789240041141 }}

The list is divided into core items and complementary items. The core items are deemed to be the most cost-effective options for key health problems and are usable with little additional health care resources. The complementary items either require additional infrastructure such as specially trained health care providers or diagnostic equipment or have a lower cost–benefit ratio.

The first list for children was created in 2007, and the list is in its 9th edition {{as of|2023|lc=yes}}.{{cite book | vauthors = ((World Health Organization)) | title = World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 7th list 2019 | year = 2019 | hdl = 10665/325772 | author-link = World Health Organization | location = Geneva | id = WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.07. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO | hdl-access=free }}{{cite book | vauthors = ((World Health Organization)) | year = 2019 | title = Executive summary: the selection and use of essential medicines 2019: report of the 22nd WHO Expert Committee on the selection and use of essential medicines | location = Geneva | author-link = World Health Organization | hdl = 10665/325773 | id = WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.05. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO | hdl-access=free }}{{cite book | vauthors = ((World Health Organization)) | title = World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 8th list (2021) | year = 2021 | hdl = 10665/345534 | author-link = World Health Organization | publisher = World Health Organization | location = Geneva | id = WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.03 | hdl-access=free }}{{cite book | vauthors = ((World Health Organization)) | title = The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex B: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 9th list (2023) | year = 2023 | hdl = 10665/371091 | author-link = World Health Organization | publisher = World Health Organization | location = Geneva | id = WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.03 | hdl-access=free }}

Note: An α indicates a medicine is on the complementary list.

Anaesthetics, preoperative medicines and medical gases

=General anaesthetics and oxygen=

==Inhalational medicines==

==Injectable medicines==

=Local anaesthetics=

=Preoperative medication and sedation for short-term procedures=

=Medical gases=

  • OxygenNo more than 30% oxygen should be used to initiate resuscitation of neonates less than or equal to 32 weeks of gestation.

Medicines for pain and palliative care

=Non-opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIMs)=

  • IbuprofenNot in children less than three months.
  • ParacetamolNot recommended for anti‐inflammatory use due to lack of proven benefit to that effect. (acetaminophen)

=Opioid analgesics=

=Medicines for other symptoms common in palliative care=

Antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis

Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings

=Non-specific=

=Specific=

Anticonvulsants/antiepileptics

  • Carbamazepine
  • Diazepam
  • LamotrigineFor use as adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant partial or generalized seizures.
  • LorazepamAlternatives limited to diazepam and midazolam
  • MidazolamFor buccal administration when solution for oromucosal administration is not available.
  • Phenobarbital
  • PhenytoinThe presence of both 25 mg/5 mL and 30 mg/5 mL strengths on the same market would cause confusion in prescribing and dispensing and should be avoided.
  • Valproic acid (sodium valproate)Avoid use in pregnancy and in women and girls of child-bearing potential, unless alternative treatments are ineffective or not tolerated because of the high risk of birth defects and developmental disorders in children exposed to valproate in the womb.
  • Ethosuximide{{ref|Alpha|α}}
  • Valproic acid (sodium valproate){{ref|Alpha|α}}Avoid use in pregnancy and in women and girls of child-bearing potential, unless alternative treatments are ineffective or not tolerated because of the high risk of birth defects and developmental disorders in children exposed to valproate in the womb.

Anti-infective medicines

=Anthelminthics=

==Intestinal anthelminthics==

==Antifilarials==

==Antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines==

==Cysticidal medicines==

=Antibacterials=

==Access group antibiotics==

==Watch group antibiotics==

==Reserve group antibiotics==

Reserve antibiotics are last-resort antibiotics. The EML antibiotic book was published in 2022.{{Cite web |date=24 November 2021 |title=The WHO Essential Medicines List Antibiotic Book |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/the-who-essential-medicines-list-antibiotic-book |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=World Health Organization (WHO) |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111171654/https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/the-who-essential-medicines-list-antibiotic-book |url-status=live }}{{cite book | title=The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book | location=Geneva | publisher=World Health Organization (WHO) | year=2022 | url=https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240062382 | access-date=29 January 2023 | isbn=978-92-4-006238-2 | archive-date=13 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813134739/https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240062382 | url-status=live }}{{cite book | title=The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book - Infographics | location=Geneva | publisher=World Health Organization (WHO) | year=2022 | url=https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MHP-HPS-EML-2022.02 | access-date=29 January 2023 | id=WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2022.02 | archive-date=29 January 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129194901/https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MHP-HPS-EML-2022.02 | url-status=live }}

==Antileprosy medicines==

==Antituberculosis medicines==

File:Ethambutol substance photo.jpg

=Antifungal medicines=

=Antiviral medicines=

==Antiherpes medicines==

==Antiretrovirals==

===Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors===

===Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors===

===Protease inhibitors===

===Integrase inhibitors===

=== Fixed-dose combinations of antiretroviral medicines ===

==Other antivirals==

  • RibavirinFor the treatment of viral haemorrhagic fevers only.
  • Oseltamivir{{ref|Alpha|α}}Severe illness due to confirmed or suspected influenza virus infection in critically ill hospitalized patients
  • Valganciclovir{{ref|Alpha|α}}For the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVr).

==Antihepatitis medicines==

===Medicines for hepatitis B===

====Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors====

===Medicines for hepatitis C===

====Pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations====

====Non-pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations====

No listings in this section.

====Other antivirals for hepatitis C====

No listings in this section.

=Antiprotozoal medicines=

==Antiamoebic and antigiardiasis medicines==

==Antileishmaniasis medicines==

==Antimalarial medicines==

===For curative treatment===

===For chemoprevention===

==Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines==

==Antitrypanosomal medicines==

===African trypanosomiasis===

  • FexinidazoleFor the treatment of 1st and 2nd stage of human African trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection.

====1st stage====

  • PentamidineTo be used for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection.
  • Suramin sodiumTo be used for the treatment of the initial phase of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection.

====2nd stage====

  • EflornithineTo be used for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection
  • NifurtimoxOnly to be used in combination with eflornithine, for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection.
  • Melarsoprol{{ref|Alpha|α}}

===American trypanosomiasis===

=Medicines for ectoparasitic infections=

Antimigraine medicines

=For treatment of acute attack=

=For prophylaxis=

Immunomodulators and Antineoplastics

=Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease=

=Antineoplastic and supportive medicines=

== Cytotoxic medicines ==

==Targeted therapies==

==Immunomodulators==

==Hormones and antihormones==

==Supportive medicines==

Medicines affecting the blood

=Antianaemia medicines=

=Medicines affecting coagulation=

=Other medicines for haemoglobinopathies=

Blood products of human origin and plasma substitutes

=Blood and blood components=

=Plasma-derived medicines=

==Human immunoglobulins==

==Blood coagulation factors==

=Plasma substitutes=

  • Dextran 70Polygeline, injectable solution, 3.5% is considered as equivalent.

Cardiovascular medicines

=Antianginal medicines=

No listings in this section.

=Antiarrhythmic medicines=

No listings in this section.

=Antihypertensive medicines=

  • EnalaprilAlternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09AA ACE inhibitors, plain)

=Medicines used in heart failure=

=Antithrombotic medicines=

No listings in this section.

=Lipid-lowering agents=

No listings in this section.

Dermatological medicines (topical)

=Antifungal medicines=

  • MiconazoleAlternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D01AC Imidazole and triazole derivatives) excluding combinations
  • Terbinafine

=Anti-infective medicines=

=Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic medicines=

=Medicines affecting skin differentiation and proliferation=

=Scabicides and pediculicides=

Diagnostic agents

=Ophthalmic medicines=

=Radiocontrast media=

Disinfectants and antiseptics

=Antiseptics=

=Disinfectants=

Diuretics

Gastrointestinal medicines

=Antiulcer medicines=

  • OmeprazoleAlternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (A02BC Proton pump inhibitors) excluding combinations
  • RanitidineAlternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (A02BA H2-receptor antagonists) excluding combinations

=Antiemetic medicines=

=Anti-inflammatory medicines=

No listings in this section.

=Laxatives=

No listings in this section.

=Medicines used in diarrhoea=

==Oral rehydration==

==Medicines for diarrhoea==

  • Zinc sulfateIn acute diarrhoea zinc sulfate should be used as an adjunct to oral rehydration salts

Medicines for endocrine disorders

=Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes=

=Androgens=

No listings in this section.

=Estrogens=

No listings in this section.

=Progestogens=

No listings in this section.

=Medicines for diabetes=

==Insulins==

==Oral hypoglycaemic agents==

=Medicines for hypoglycaemia=

=Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines=

Immunologicals

=Diagnostic agents=

=Sera and immunoglobulins=

=Vaccines=

Recommendations for all

Recommendations for certain regions

Recommendations for some high-risk populations

Recommendations for immunization programmes with certain characteristics

Muscle relaxants (peripherally-acting) and cholinesterase inhibitors

Ophthalmological preparations

=Anti-infective agents=

=Anti-inflammatory agents=

=Local anaesthetics=

  • TetracaineAlternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (S01HA Local anaesthetics) excluding cocaine and combinations

=Miotics and antiglaucoma medicines=

No listings in this section.

=Mydriatics=

=Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) preparations=

No listings in this section.

Medicines for reproductive health and perinatal care

=Contraceptives=

No listings in this section.

=Ovulation inducers=

No listings in this section.

=Uterotonics=

No listings in this section.

=Antioxytocics (tocolytics)=

No listings in this section.

=Other medicines administered to the mother=

No listings in this section.

=Medicines administered to the neonate=

Peritoneal dialysis solution

Medicines for mental and behavioural disorders

=Medicines used in psychotic disorders=

=Medicines used in mood disorders=

==Medicines used in depressive disorders==

==Medicines used in bipolar disorders==

No listings in this section.

=Medicines for anxiety disorders=

No listings in this section.

=Medicines used for obsessive compulsive disorders=

No listings in this section.

=Medicines for disorders due to psychoactive substance use=

No listings in this section.

Medicines acting on the respiratory tract

=Antiasthmatic medicines=

Solutions correcting water, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances

=Oral=

=Parenteral=

=Miscellaneous=

Vitamins and minerals

Ear, nose and throat medicines

Medicines for diseases of joints

=Medicines used to treat gout=

No listings in this section.

=Disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders=

=Juvenile joint diseases=

  • Aspirin{{ref|Alpha|α}}For use for rheumatic fever, juvenile arthritis, Kawasaki disease

=Dental preparations=

Notes

{{Reflist|group=note}}

References

{{reflist}}

Further reading

  • {{cite book | vauthors=((World Health Organization)) | title=The selection and use of essential medicines. Twentieth report of the WHO Expert Committee 2015 (including 19th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and 5th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children) | year=2015 | publisher=World Health Organization | author-link = World Health Organization | isbn=9789240694941 | hdl=10665/189763 | issn=0512-3054 | location=Geneva | id=WHO technical report series; no. 994 | hdl-access=free }}
  • {{cite book | vauthors = ((World Health Organization)) | title=The selection and use of essential medicines: report of the WHO Expert Committee, 2017 (including the 20th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and the 6th Model List of Essential Medicines for Children) | author-link = World Health Organization | year=2017 | publisher=World Health Organization | isbn=978-92-4-121015-7 | hdl=10665/259481 | issn=0512-3054 | location=Geneva | id=WHO technical report series; no. 1006 | hdl-access=free }}
  • {{cite book | vauthors = ((World Health Organization)) | year = 2019 | title = The selection and use of essential medicines: report of the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, 2019 (including the 21st WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and the 7th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children) | publisher = World Health Organization | location = Geneva | author-link = World Health Organization | hdl = 10665/330668 | id = WHO technical report series;1021 | hdl-access=free | isbn = 9789241210300 | issn = 0512-3054 }}