WHO launches new guidelines to improve access to controlled medicines in cancer care

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new guidelines to improve access to essential controlled medicines, including opioids, for people requiring palliative care, particularly those living with cancer.

The new guidelines, titled Balanced National Controlled Medicines Policies to Ensure Medical Access and Safety, provide a framework for countries to develop and implement policies that ensure the availability of controlled medicines for medical purposes while preventing misuse and diversion.

This balanced approach is crucial for integrating effective pain management into cancer care, thereby improving the quality of life for patients.

The guidelines address pricing, access, regulation, and clinical use, and are based on international best practices and new evidence.

Key points include:

• National policy development: WHO urges all countries to implement and regularly update a national medicines policy, aligning with medical needs, social priorities, and global standards.
• Pricing and financing: Countries are encouraged to promote generic and biosimilar medicines through supportive legislation, cost-based pricing policies, and strategies to increase uptake.
• Regulation and control: WHO recommends that drug laws strike a balance between ensuring access and preventing misuse. This includes appropriate scheduling, packaging, and import/export procedures that support patient needs while safeguarding public health.
• Medicine selection: Controlled medicines should be chosen through rigorous, transparent scientific processes, such as health technology assessments. Safety and misuse risks must be considered in the national context. Countries should evaluate how local laws, healthcare practices, and public attitudes affect both access and appropriate use.
• Procurement and supply chain: Governments should ensure reliable supply through accurate forecasting, quality procurement practices, and efficient supply chain systems that prevent waste and ensure equitable access.
• Prescription and administration: Policies should support safe and equitable prescribing practices, including opioid agonist treatment in all relevant settings. Prescription monitoring should protect privacy and not hinder access.
• Education and public awareness: Governments should ensure healthcare providers receive adequate training, and that patients and the public are informed about both therapeutic benefits and risks of controlled medicines.

These new recommendations, developed using WHO’s rigorous evidence-to-decision framework, reflect a commitment to health equity, human rights, and patient safety in the management of controlled substances.

By adopting these recommendations, countries can significantly improve cancer pain management, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care that addresses both their physical and emotional needs.

The release of these guidelines is an important step towards achieving more equitable cancer care at the global level. It underscores the necessity of integrating palliative care into national health systems and highlights the role of controlled medicines in alleviating suffering.

Access the WHO guidelines to improve access to essential controlled medicines