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Posted: 18th June 2025

Brooke and WVA commit to continue essential medicines list work
The essential medicines list was released in March 2024.
The organisations signed an agreement at the WOAH General Assembly.

Working animal charity Brooke and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) have both committed to continue their work on a global list of essential veterinary medicines.

The list is the first of its kind, identifying over 300 medicines and vaccines and detailing which are most important for keeping animals healthy. 

It was devised to ensure that veterinary professionals have better access to affordable and effective medicines. By extension, it is also hoped the list will prevent the development of antimicrobial resistance, protect food safety and security, and control the spread of infectious diseases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that around two million people have no access to essential medicine. Brooke estimates that this number is higher for animal populations.

In a 2021 survey, conducted by Brooke and the WVA, 80 per cent of veterinary surgeons felt that their challenges accessing veterinary medicines had restricted their ability to improve animal health.

Brooke and the WVA were involved in the production of the list, which was launched in March 2024. On its release, Brooke described it as a ‘critical first step’ to ensuring animals across the world had access to medicines and vaccines to keep them healthy.

In June 2025, Brooke and WVA signed an agreement at WOAH’s General Assembly to continue their work on the list.

Olatunji Nasir, chairman of the WVA Medicines Stewardship Working Group, said: "Access to essential veterinary medicines is fundamental to safeguarding animal health, public health, and food security.  
 
“This list marks a major milestone in advancing equitable veterinary care across the globe, especially in underserved regions.”

The full list of essential veterinary medicines can be accessed here.

Image © Brooke



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