WHO Model List of Essential Medicines: challenges and progress

Selection criteria and update and dissemination procedure in WHO Model List of Essential Medicines are all through the reference to member states. As development of evidence-based medicines and pharmacoeco-nomics in recent years, WHO face new challenges. For example, selection of essential medicines should have a change from experience-based decisions to evidence-based decisions; The Model Lists should be consistent with clinical guidelines; Relative cost-effectiveness should be considered when compare medicines within the same ther-apeutic category. In 1999, WHO started to revise the update and dissemination procedure in WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, and in 2002, the new procedure were announced. The revised procedure is more consistent with the evidence-based, transparent and justice principle. This article reviews the history, selection criteria and the update and dissemination procedure of WHO essential medicines.