WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Review of Coca Leaf
Learn about the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in evaluating the impact of psychoactive substances on public health, including the critical review of coca leaf scheduled for 2025. Understand the importance of the medical and scientific assessment conducted by WHO in drug control conventions.
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WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) review of coca leaf HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP |March 19, 2025
WHO role within the International Drug Control Conventions Medical and scientific assessment WHO is the only treaty body with a mandate to carry out medical and scientific assessment of substances. WHO assessment shall be determinative as to medical and scientific matters The role of the WHO, through the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD), is to evaluate the impact of psychoactive substances on public health by evaluating their dependence producing properties and potential harm to health, as well as considering their potential medical benefits and therapeutic applications. Other relevant factors CND bearing in mind economic, social, legal, administrative and other factors it may consider relevant makes a scheduling decision with regard to the substance. (Convention on Psychotropic Substances (Article 2, paragraph 5)) HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP |March 19, 2025
Coca Leaf Critical Review There has been a notification from a Party to the 1961 or the 1971 Convention concerning the scheduling of a substance (Guidance on WHO review of psychoactive substances for international control, para 19(1)). In June 2023, WHO received an official notification from a Member State to conduct a critical review of coca leaf. Accordingly, in accordance with the Guidance on the WHO review of psychoactive substances for international control, a critical review of coca leaf is planned to be conducted in 2025 for the consideration of the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. An informal update on preparations for such critical review was presented at the open session of the 47thECDD meeting. HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP |March 19, 2025
Coca leaf, cocaine, ecgonine and its esters and derivatives are controlled under Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narco WHO conducted a pre-review of coca leaf in 1993. At that time, the Committee was of the opinion that the coca leaf is appropria Following an official notification, WHO will conduct a new scientific review of coca leaf, to be finalized in 2025 Background 21 21 Coca leaves havebeen usedtraditionally bypeople in some countries and regions for health benefits, including for the relief of gastrointestinal problems, respiratory ailments, and altitude sickness (EB120/36) Cocaleaf, cocaine, ecgonineanditsestersandderivatives are controlled under Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 WHO conducted a pre-review of coca leaf in 1993. At that time, the Committee was of the opinion that the coca leaf is appropriately scheduled undertheSingle Convention of Narcotic Drugs 1961,since cocaine is readily extractable from the leaf. (1993 WHO ECDDD: twenty-eighth report). Following an official notification, WHO will conduct a new scientific review of coca leaf, to be finalized in 2025 HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP |March 19, 2025
Scope of review: The critical review will include coca leaf and preparations of coca leaf as defined by the 1961 Single Convention (including coca leaf powder, coca tea, etc) The critical review will exclude cocaine (methyl ester of benzoylecgonine) and preparations of cocaine (including coca paste), which are currently controlled separately under Schedule I of the 1961 Single Convention WHO will follow Guidance on the WHO review of psychoactive substances for international control Critical review report format will follow standard ECDD report headings. HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP | March 19, 2025
WHO ECDD Scientific Criteria for Critical Review Chemistry Pharmacology Toxicology Therapeutic Use Epidemiology HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP | March 19, 2025
ECDD coca leaf review: Critical review report WHO issued an open call for authors to contribute to the reports Critical review report will be published by September 2025 Report will systematically assess & consolidate information from published & unpublished information, Member State Questionnaire, and information received from public consultation process Member State Questionnaire To be conducted in July/ August 2025 Public consultation process 47th ECDD: Submission of data and comments within scope of review (Deadline extended to 9th December 2024) 48th ECDD: Submission of data and comments on critical review report (Oct 25) HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP | March 19, 2025
Timelines for review 47th ECDD 2024 Informal update of coca leaf on ECDD agenda (May/June) Information received from countries on coca leaf (June-July) Interventions received on coca leaf at 47thECDD Info meeting (Oct) July 2024-July 2025 Author preparation of critical review report 48th ECDD 2025 Critical review announced (May/June 2025) Member State Questionnaire sent to all countries on coca leaf (June-July) Critical review report published for public commentary (Sept) Information meeting- stakeholder interventions received (Oct) Recommendations made by ECDD (Oct) HIS/EMP | Communications Planning WHO/HIS/EMP | March 19, 2025
