Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Microdissection of the Rodent Eye
11:03

Microdissection of the Rodent Eye

Published on: April 21, 2023

7.1K

Essential medicines for children

Kalle Hoppu1, Shalini Sri Ranganathan2

  • 1Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Helsinki and Poison Information Centre, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|January 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Millions of children die annually from treatable conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Model List of Essential Medicines for Children to improve access, but significant challenges remain in ensuring availability.

Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • Millions of children under five die yearly from treatable conditions.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) was established in 1977 to ensure access to necessary drugs.
  • Initially, children's specific needs were not systematically addressed in the EML.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the evolution of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children.
  • To assess the progress and persistent challenges in providing essential medicines to children globally.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the historical development of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.
  • Analysis of the establishment and updates of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc).
  • Examination of country survey data on access to pediatric essential medicines.

Main Results:

  • The first WHO EMLc was adopted in 2007, followed by subsequent revisions, with the 4th edition in 2013.
  • Despite dedicated lists for children, country-level data indicate that access to essential medicines for pediatric populations remains inadequate.
  • Significant disparities in access persist, necessitating further interventions.

Conclusions:

  • The creation of the WHO EMLc marked a crucial step towards addressing children's health needs.
  • Current access levels to essential medicines for children are generally poor, underscoring the need for intensified global efforts.
  • Continued focus and investment are required to improve the availability and accessibility of vital medicines for children worldwide.

Keywords:
Health ServicePharmacologyTherapeutics

More Related Videos

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery06:09

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery

Published on: February 14, 2019

7.5K
Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen09:44

Generation of a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure by Combining 70% Partial Hepatectomy and Acetaminophen

Published on: November 27, 2019

11.3K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
929
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
391
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs01:02

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
1.4K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
1.8K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
886
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route01:18

Drug Delivery: Enteral Route

The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
2.8K