New pediatric treatment option for preschoolers with schistosomiasis now included in WHO List of Prequalified Medicines

Context and significance

The WHO Prequalification Process (PQP) was established in 2001 in response to issues concerning the quality and availability of medicines. It is a service provided by the WHO to assess the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicinal products. This assessment has led to an improvement in the quality of life-saving medicines used by millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. 

The WHO’s List of Prequalified Medicinal Products is also used by international procurement agencies and increasingly by countries to guide the bulk purchasing of medicines.

Together with the positive scientific opinion by EMA, the WHO prequalification of the Consortium’s new pediatric treatment option aims to support its adoption in endemic countries and facilitate its equitable and sustainable access. Ultimately, it brings the new treatment one step closer to the young patients in need. 

Lygature’s role in the Consortium

Lygature played an instrumental role in setting up the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium. As a partner, we provide overall partnership management and are in the lead for communication and dissemination. Read more.

Acknowledgment of support

The Consortium is financially supported by Merck; in-kind contributions from the Consortium’s partners; and grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (2012), the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT) (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 & 2020), and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) (2018 & 2021), under its second program supported by the European Union.