Comparative Analysis of Antiepileptic Drugs between WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children and the National Essential Drug List of China / 中国药房

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE：To compare the similarities and differences of antiepileptic drugs between 2019 edition of WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children （called“WHO-EMLc”for short ）and 2018 edition of the National Essential Medicines List （called“NEML”for short ），and to provide reference for the improvement of national essential medicines list and formulation of essential medicines list for children. METHODS ：By means of descriptive analysis ，the differences in the varieties ， dosage forms ，specifications and marker symbols of antiepileptic drugs were compared between WHO-EMLc and NEML. The marketing status of antiepileptic drugs included in WHO-EMLc and NEML were analyzed statistically. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS：There were 9 kinds of antiepileptic drugs included in WHO-EMLc ，all of which were under the category of anticonvulsant/antiepileptic drugs. There were 6 kinds of antiepileptic drugs in NEML of China ，and the other three kinds of drugs included in WHO-EMLc were included in the category of psychotherapy drugs in NEML. Eight kinds of antiepileptic 126 drugs were shared by NEML and WHO-EMLc ， namely 109614043@qq.com carbamazepine， valproic acid ， phenytoin sodium ， pheno- barbital，lamotrigine，diazepam，lorazepam and midazolam. The special antiepileptic drug in NEML was ocazepine ，and edu.cn the special antiepileptic drug in WHO-EMLC was ethylsu c- cinate. Oral dosage forms involved in WHO-EMLc included oral solution ，ordinary tablet，enteric-coated tablet ，dispersed tablet ， etc.，while oral dosage forms involved in NEML included ordinary tablet ，dispersed tablet and oral solution. In terms of dosage form of a single drug ，the drug specifications in WHO-EMLc were more comprehensive than those in NEML. In WHO-EMLc ， lorazepam was labeled with “□”，indicating that it was more effective and safe in similar drugs . Lamotrigine ，midazolam injection and phenytoin （25 mg∶5 mL and 30 mg∶5 mL）were labeled with “*”，indicating that there were special precautions for the drug or dosage form and specification. In NEML ，diazepam was marked with “*”，and diazepam injection was marked with “△”， indicating that diazepam appeared repeatedly under different classifications ；diazepam injection should be used under the guidance of doctors with corresponding prescription qualifications or under the guidance of specialists ，and the use monitoring and efficacy evaluation should be strengthened. In addition ，most of the antiepileptic drugs included in WHO-EMLc had been marketed in China，but the dosage forms on the market were relatively simple ，which could not meet the drug demand of children. Our country could learn from WHO-EMLc selection method to further improve the national essential medicine list ，formulate essential medicine list for children which was suitable for Chinese national conditionsas soon as possible on the basis of disease spectrum and drug clinical comprehensive evaluation. At the same time ，the government should also encourage the development and production of children’s medicines to ensure that children fairly access to drugs.