Recent news
March 2011
WHO releases first list of priority medicines for maternal and child health
March 30, 2011 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever list of 30 priority medicines for improving maternal and child health worldwide. According to the WHO, more than eight million children younger than age five die every year from diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. In addition, approximately 1,000 women die every day due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these deaths occur in low-income countries and most can be prevented with access to safe and effective medicines.
The list also includes five urgently needed medicines that are not currently available for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB), particularly in HIV-positive children, and for newborn care. The WHO has recently developed treatment guidelines for TB in children, but the recommended dosage requires children to take several tablets per day over a long period of time. The WHO is therefore calling for more research to develop appropriate drug formulations for children. See the links below for more information.
