The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently reevaluating the need for retaining FVIII and FIX concentrates on the WHO Essential Drug List. The public health relevance and efficacy of these products have been questioned, and their inclusion on the list will be reviewed at the next meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines.

This Essential Drug List presents the minimum medication needs for a basic health care system. The most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines for priority conditions are selected based on the current and estimated future public health relevance and the potential for safe and cost-effective treatment.

Whereas, Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTC's) have been established around the world with health care professionals trained in the delivery of treatment for hemophilia, and

Whereas, virally safe factor concentrates have a documented record of efficacy and safety and of reducing morbidity and mortality, and

Whereas, dependence on blood components alone in the developing world will increase the risk of infectious disease transmissions such as HIV to persons with hemophilia, and

Whereas, inaccessibility to what are the most safe, efficacious, and essential products to treat hemophilia in the developing world will lead to an increased number of deaths and disabilities, and

Whereas, governments rely on WHO recommendations,

Therefore, MASAC recommends that a therapeutic drug group that includes virally safe factor concentrates should remain on the WHO Essential Drug List.

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