image: ©FatCamera | iStock
The World Health Organization (WHO) has strengthened its efforts to improve access to safe, quality-assured, child-friendly cancer medicines by inviting manufacturers to submit products for evaluation through its Prequalification Programme
The invitation for expression of interest (EOI) was issued on 4 September 2026. It is the first of its kind specifically focused on medicines for childhood cancer.
It covers 12 essential medicines, selected because children need better formulations or because availability and supply are seriously lacking.
Tackling a global childhood cancer gap
An estimated 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer every year. Nearly 90% of these cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates can be below 30%. This compares with survival rates above 80% in many high-income countries.
Limited access to quality-assured medicines contributes to this significant gap. Children can also face difficulties because many cancer medicines are not available in formulations designed specifically for younger patients, making accurate dosing and administration more challenging.
Twelve medicines identified as priorities
Six medicines included in the WHO initiative have established uses in children but lack suitable child-friendly formulations. These are cyclophosphamide, etoposide, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, procarbazine and temozolomide.
The remaining six medicines were selected because of documented supply and access challenges. They include pegaspargase, asparaginase, preservative-free hydrocortisone, dactinomycin, vincristine and cytarabine.
From research to real-world access
The new EOI follows work carried out through the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations (GAP-f) and the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.
In January 2024, WHO and GAP-f brought together regulators, researchers, product developers and other specialists for a paediatric drug optimisation exercise. This helped identify medicines where improved formulations were most urgently needed.
GAP-f then supported the creation of target product profiles, setting out requirements such as age-appropriate dosing, acceptability, stability, safe handling and affordability.
At the same time, consultations and assessments identified medicines facing some of the greatest supply challenges.
Expanding access worldwide
The initiative is expected to strengthen the supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines available for international and national procurement.
The Global Platform, established in 2021 through a partnership between WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with UNICEF and the PAHO Strategic Fund, aims to reach around 120,000 children. Its broader work supports countries in improving cancer diagnosis, treatment, medicine supply systems and quality of care.