Comparisons of the 2015 edition of WHO model list of essential medicines for children and the 2012 edition of list of national essential medicines for children / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on comparing the 2015 edition of WHO model list of essential medicines for children with the 2012 edition of list of national essential medicines for children in respects of drug categories, dosage forms, specifications and medication information. The number of essential medicines available for children in China roughly equals to that of WHO model list of essential medicines for children. Though China’s list provides more specific and children-agreeable specifications, it lags behind the WHO list with respect to the number of dosage forms and information concerning pediatric weight limitation, drug combination and alternatives. It is recommended that research and development on dosage forms for children should be strengthened to solve the problem of pediatric drugs shortage. Also, more clinical trials should be developed as supporting evidence. Based on adapting to the needs of basic health services of children, essential medicines list for children in China should be established.