The Political Economy of the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) aims to help countries select medicines based on the priority needs of their populations. However, rapid evolution within the pharmaceutical sector toward complex, high-priced medicines has challenged WHO decision making, leading to inconsistent decisions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how political factors impact the WHO EML.

Methods: Document review and semistructured interviews of diverse stakeholder groups with direct experience with the WHO EML, either as stakeholders involved with WHO EML processes (e.g., selection of medicines, observers) or external applications (n = 29). Donabedian’s structure–process–outcome framework was combined with the Three I’s framework (ideas, interests, and institutions) to understand how political factors shape the WHO EML.

Findings: The concept of essential medicines evolved from an original focus on generic medicines in resource-constrained countries to include complex, high-priced therapeutics also relevant to high-income nations. The WHO has never explicitly addressed whom its decisions are for. Some believe the Model Lists have a “symbolic” price-lowering mechanism, whereas others do not (e.g., the pharmaceutical industry concerns to profitability). This tension has led to different ideas and interests driving the EML. A lack of data and human resources inhibits evaluation and exacerbates the influence of external actors. A degree of inconsistency has emerged in the concept and recommendations of essential medicines.

Conclusions: The current debate about the role of the WHO EML centers on the question whether the Model Lists ought to include complex, high-priced medicines. However, this research demonstrates that challenges may have roots deeper than amending decision criteria. At the core of this issue is the role of the list. Defining a strategic vision for the WHO EML, refining decision criteria, and increasing institutional support would align interests, good processes, and, ultimately, contribute to positive societal health outcomes.

Editor’s Note from Alan B. Cohen: The Trump administration recently withdrew the United States from participation in the World Health Organization. This unpopular action, considered by many to be misguided policy, does not invalidate the value of this research article.