By Mieke Meintjes
The World Health Organization (WHO) has added sunscreen to its Model List of Essential Medicines, officially recognizing it as a necessary tool for global health.
The move shifts sunscreen from being classified as a cosmetic to being acknowledged as a preventive medicine, with the potential to improve access and reduce UV-related diseases worldwide.
The WHO’s Essential Medicine list guides countries in identifying the most vital health products for their populations.
“Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population. They are selected with due regard to disease prevalence and public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness,” the WHO states.
By joining this list, sunscreen is recognized alongside treatments for infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and other core public health concerns.
