The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is calling on its membership and other interested stakeholders to join an online consultation on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines List with respect to cancer medicines. UICC is committed to gathering feedbacks and evidence in order to contribute to 2017 decision making, when the EML will be reviewed. The consultation will close on Friday 25 March at 11pm CET. 

Governments of the world have committed to reaching a target of 80% availability of essential medicines and technologies for NCDs by 2025. The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) are an important starting block in addressing these access issues. In 2014, UICC worked with WHO to generate a new methodology for rational selection with the goal of equipping policy makers with the guidance on best select cancer medicines that will have a major impact on patients in their specific national setting. 

Demonstrating a key win for global oncology, the Expert Committee recommended the addition of 16 new cancer medicines to the EML and 10 new cancer medicines to the EMLc. These additions broaden the number of treatable cancers from 18 to 29 for adult cancers, and 3 to 10 paediatric cancers.

For more information on submitting proposals for inclusion of new medicines, and changes to or deletion of the currently listed medicines in the 2017 Model Lists, please click here