New Model Lists of Essential Medicines published by WHO

ILAE is pleased that the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the inclusion of oral levetiracetam for the treatment of focal-onset and generalized-onset seizures in its Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicine for Children (EMLc). Parenteral levetiracetam has also been added to the complementary lists of the EML and EMLc for use in the management of benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus. The inclusion of levetiracetam on the Model Lists, which often guide the development of government pharmaceutical formularies, offers the potential for increasing the range of treatment options available for people with epilepsy and could help to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with prolonged seizures. 

Full details of the Expert Committee’s recommendations, describing the additions, changes and removal of medicines, and decisions not to recommend medicines are available in the Executive Summary.