New WHO Essential Medicines List: Antibiotics, Hepatitis C, Leukaemia, TB

06/06/2017 Catherine Saez

The World Health Organization's new list of essential medicines, those which should be available to everyone, anywhere, was issued today. To answer the rising concern about antimicrobial resistance, the antibiotics on the list have been divided in three groups, the last of which are to be used as a last resort. The list includes the first combination therapy to treat all six types of hepatitis C. However, no second line treatment for breast cancer has been added this year. Continue reading ->

Shortage Of Affordable Insulin: Should WHO Extend Prequalification To Biosimilars?

10/05/2017 Tatum Anderson

The WHO last week announced plans to explore options for prequalifying insulin, a process that already assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products, such as tuberculosis and malaria drugs. The WHO is considering whether to extend the prequalification process to manufacturers creating me-too versions of insulins, more commonly known as biosimilars. Continue reading ->

WHO Members Urged To Support Resolution Delinking Cancer Drug Prices From R&D Costs

04/05/2017 Catherine Saez

A group of civil society organisations and health experts have sent a letter to delegates to this month’s annual World Health Assembly urging support for a study on the delinkage of the costs of research and development from the prices of cancer medicines. Member states reportedly met on the issue today and are still undecided. Continue reading ->