The IAHPC team is delighted to announce the launch of the IAHPC Manual on the Use of Essential Palliative Care Medicines for Adults. The Manual, which was over two years in the making, was developed as part of the IAHPC’s working plan as a Non-State Actor in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Authored by Lukas Radbruch, Tania Pastrana, Liliana De Lima, Russell Portenoy, Deborah Dudgeon, Anna Voeuk, and Ebtesam Ahmed, the Manual provides practical recommendations for the safe and effective use of the medications for palliative care included in the WHO Essential Medicine List (EML) and in the Lancet Commission Report. Additionally, tramadol is included due to its widespread use in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The Manual fills a critical gap by facilitating safe and effective use of essential medicines, helping to alleviate health-related suffering around the world. It is designed to support health professionals who provide generalist or palliative care in the community.
The Manual is organized by symptoms, and for each recommended medicine, it offers consensus-based recommendations, including starting dose, maximum daily dose, and frequency of dosing, as well as additional recommendations proposed by individual experts.
Lukas Radbruch, Chair of the IAHPC and senior author, stated: “This Manual consolidates insights and experiences from palliative care experts around the world. Its goal is to empower providers to confidently and competently deliver symptom management and alleviate suffering of adults with palliative care needs, ensuring patients and their families receive compassionate care close to home from trusted primary care teams.”
Lead author Tania Pastrana commented that “IAHPC recognizes the efforts of governments and agencies to ensure the availability of the medications included in the WHO EML and in the Lancet Commission Report. However, improved access to medicines d ensure that they are optimally used. Health professionals require information based on the best available evidence to effectively manage these medications in patients with palliative care needs.”
Liliana De Lima, IAHPC Executive Director, stated “We are very grateful to the many members who responded to our invitation to participate in this consensus process. We are offering this Manual for free to the global palliative care community as a great resource for those who provide palliative care in primary care around the world.”
Manual-on-the-use-of-Essential-Palliative-Care-Medicines-for-Adults
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Cover photo by Karen Gschwend, in Knysna, South Africa, depicting a staff member of Knysna Sedgefield Hospice visiting a patient at her home. Photo submitted to the 2023 IAHPC Photo Contest. Used with permission.
This is an invaluable document. As a physiotherapist in palliative care, it is essential to understand the interactions of these medications to support patients who are still keen to participate. Thank you