Invitation for public comments on applications to the 25th WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines
IACAPAP, in partnership with the World Federation of ADHD, asked a group of experts without any conflict of interest to prepare a new appeal to include methylphenidate in the WHO Essential Medicines List. The group of CAMH professionals was leaded by Profs. Brooke Molina and Philip Shaw. The WHO Essential Medicines List guides which medications several countries, and specially LMICs, make available for their populations. Millions of children and adolescents with ADHD worldwide do not have access to generic methylphenidate because it is not considered an essential medicine by WHO. In the past, two groups of experts tried without success. This time, the scenario is different, and methylphenidate is part of the WHO mhGAP. The application was submitted last November.
The meeting of the 25th WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines will take place in Geneva from 5 to 9 May 2025 to consider applications seeking addition, changes and removal of medicines on the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc). The WHO EML secretariat invites interested stakeholders to submit comments on the application by Friday, 18 April 2025, 1800hr CEST.
We strongly encourage all members of IACAPAP (Individual Members, Full Member organisations and Affiliate Member organisations) to support this appeal enthusiastically. The application file (A.19 Methylphenidate – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) can be viewed here (link).
How to Support
- Comments on the application should be submitted via email to emlsecretariat@who.int.
- Comments should be provided in PDF format and must clearly reference to the application [The application ref is “A.19 Methylphenidate – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder”.]
- The deadline for submission of comments is Friday, 18 April 2025, 1800hr CEST.
The WHO EML Secretariat will publish comments received on the meeting webpage (link) and provide them to the Expert Committee for their consideration.
Thank you for your time and support.
