WHO Approves Inclusion of Levetiracetam in the Essential Medicine List
We are pleased to inform you that the WHO Committee on Essential Medicines has given its approval for the addition 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.IBE submitted letters to WHO requesting this addition, and also worked in partnership with other global patient organisations - such as those representing people with multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease groups - to submit a written statement to the recent committee meeting. Section 5.1 (new sub-section) Antiseizure medicines The Expert Committee recommended the inclusion of oral levetiracetam on the core list of the EML and EMLc for the treatment of focal-onset and generalized-onset seizures in adults in children. The Committee also recommended the inclusion of parenteral levetiracetam on [...]