Selection of WHO-recommended essential medicines for non-communicable diseases on National Essential Medicines Lists.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Inadequate and inequitable access to essential NCD medicines is a major concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. National Essential Medicines Lists (EMLs) are important policy tools that indicate which medicines are prioritized as essential within a country's health system.

Comparison of essential medicines lists in 137 countries.

Objective: To compare the medicines included in national essential medicines lists with the World Health Organization's (WHO's) , and assess the extent to which countries' characteristics, such as WHO region, size and health care expenditure, account for the differences.

Methods: We searched the WHO's Essential Medicines and Health Products Information Portal for national essential medicines lists. We compared each national list of essential medicines with both the 2017 WHO model list and other national lists.

Development of a provisional essential medicines list for children in Canada: consensus process.

Background: Worldwide, many countries have developed a list of essential medicines for children to improve prescribing. We aimed to create an essential medicines list for children in Canada.

Methods: We adapted the previously created preliminary list of essential medicines for adults in Canada and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children to create a provisional list of essential medicines for children in Canada.