The Expert Committee recommended the addition of the new strength of paracetamol oral liquid, 120 mg/5 mL to the EML and EMLc, noting its wider global market availability than the currently listed 125 mg/5 mL strength. The Committee considered that inclusion of the new strength would assist countries and procurement agencies in their efforts to make appropriate paediatric dose forms of paracetamol available through their national schemes and programmes.

The application requested the addition of a new strength formulation of paracetamol oral liquid (120 mg/5 mL) to the EML and EMLc based on its availability in the market. Paracetamol oral liquid 125 mg/5 mL has been included on the EML since 1977 and the EMLc since 2007. Other dose forms of paracetamol listed include suppositories and tablets.

The 2014 International Drug Price Indicator Guide reports a median supplier price for paracetamol oral liquid 120 mg/5 mL of US$ 0.0054/mL and a median buyer price of US$ 0.0042/mL. It does not report prices for the 125 mg/5 mL formulation (1).

UNICEF advised that it procures paracetamol oral liquid as listed on the EML and EMLc (oral liquid 125 mg/5 mL). It stated that most suppliers from it procures paracetamol oral liquid offer the alternative strength of 120 mg/5 mL and proposed the addition of this alternative strength on the basis of market availability. Paracetamol oral liquid 120 mg/5 mL is widely available globally.