This is an update of the August 2019 information brief on WHO’s revision of the two following guidelines:
- Ensuring balance in national policies on controlled substances: Guidance for availability and accessibility of controlled medicines (2011)
- WHO guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of persisting pain in children with medical illnesses (2012)
Guidelines Review Committee’s assessment of the scope: The WHO Secretariat is currently developing proposals for each of the two guidelines for further submission to the WHO Guideline Review Committee (GRC). The GRC will consider the proposals, which include the scope of each guideline as well as the questions that will inform the recommendations that will be contained within the guidelines.
Guideline Development Group members: A specific Guideline Development Group (GDG) is being established for each of the two guidelines. An open call for experts was issued in August 2019 to identify potential members for each GDG. More than 100 highly qualified experts from all regions of the world responded to the call for applications.
Proposed members for the respective guideline development groups have been considered based on expertise and regional and gender balance. This is after review and assessment of the declarations of interest that have been managed according to WHO’s standard requirements. Information about the composition of each GDG may be found below.
Timelines: Both guidelines are anticipated to be finalized in 2020.
External expert consultation groups: In addition to the guideline development groups, an External Review Group composed of selected experts acting in their individual capacity or representing public or private institutions, or civil society, with specific and complementary knowledge and expertise on the subject matter will also be convened as a part of the peer review process to provide input on the draft guidelines and on their process of implementation.
Guideline on the management of chronic pain in children (Clinical guideline)
Scope: The proposed scope for this guideline has been developed and is available at the following link: https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/guidelines/scope-guideline-pain-in-children.pdf
Guideline for ensuring balanced national policies for equitable and safe access to controlled medicines (Policy guideline)
GDG members: The proposed composition of the Guideline Development Group for the Guideline for ensuring balanced national policies for equitable and safe access to controlled medicines will be available on the WHO website by 24 January 2020.
Interim guidance: Whilst the documents are being updated, countries in need of guidance on pain management can:
- use the list of resources (https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/pain-guidelines-list-of-resources.pdf) for advice concerning access to appropriate medicines for pain and palliative care, and/or
- contact WHO to request technical support at painmedicines@who.int
Related information briefs:
27 August 2019: WHO revision of pain management guidelines (https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/27-08-2019-who-revision-of-pain-management-guidelines)
20 June 2019: Web statement on pain management guidance (https://www.who.int/medicines/areas/quality_safety/guide_on_pain/en/)
Document updated on 21 January 2020 with further details on the Policy guideline.