Make medicines child size

Improving child health is a global priority. Access to simple, affordable medicines could prevent or treat the conditions which cause more than 8.1 million deaths of children under five each year.

WHO assists countries in improving access to and use of safe and appropriate medicines for children. Through advocacy we aim to raise awareness of the need for safe, effective and appropriate medicines for children. Working in partnerships, we endeavour to improve regulatory and licensing procedures and advance research and development. We publish information and guidelines to support policy makers and health-care workers in providing the right medicines to children.

• BETTER MEDICINES FOR CHILDREN -- Progress reports and scientific publications
• Get involved in making medicines child size

India, Ghana and The United Republic of Tanzania have been implementing the Better Medicines for Children project with the objective of improving access to and use of appropriate medicines for children.

• Better medicines for children country updates

The last meeting of the Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Medicine took place in Accra, Ghana on 21-25 March 2011. Updates were made to the Model List of Essential Medicines for Children.

• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children 2011
• UNEDITED REPORT of the 18th Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines
• WHO Expert Committees

The latest evidence-based dosing recommendations replace previous recommendations which were deemed to provide inadequate therapeutic levels. Available products on the market do not cover the new dosages, but can be used as an interim measure until appropriate products are developed.

• Tuberculosis treatment in children
• Report of an Informal Consultation on Missing Priority Medicines for children
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• Beyond Randomized Trials -- TB Treatment in Children