WHO adds Sunscreen to Essential Medicines List: A Global Victory for Disability Rights

News | September 17, 2025

Together with the Africa Albinism Network, CBM Global is celebrating the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to add broad-spectrum sunscreen to its Essential Medicines Lists (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) — a victory for health equity and human rights.

This achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, the Global Albinism Alliance, the Africa Albinism Network, and dedicated partners who presented a cohesive, evidence-based application to the WHO. We are proud to have contributed to this historic advocacy initiative through our joint campaign launched in 2024. That petition, supported by 4,282 people from 99 countries across six WHO regions, called on the WHO to recognise sunscreen as an essential medicine.

The WHO’s Model Lists serve as a global reference point for countries when developing their national essential medicines lists. By including sunscreen, the WHO has affirmed that this is not simply a matter of public health but also a matter of equity and rights. Access to essential medicines is central to the right to health, and denying that access to marginalised groups such as people with albinism amounts to systemic discrimination.

David Bainbridge, CBM Global Executive Director, said:

“Sun protection for people with albinism is not only a health necessity but a human rights imperative and a climate justice issue. As a Federation, our advocacy work is rooted in amplifying the voices of people with disabilities and our Climate Advocacy Roadmap reflects this commitment by working with OPD partners to ensure disability-inclusive responses to the climate crisis. We were proud to support the campaign led by the Africa Albinism Network and we warmly congratulate everyone involved in securing this important milestone. It marks a transformative step forward for the rights, dignity and wellbeing of people with albinism globally.”

What this means for CBM Global

For CBM Global, this milestone strengthens our commitment to advancing disability rights and inclusive health worldwide. It shows the power of collective advocacy led by people with disabilities and their representative organisations, and how these voices can drive systemic change at the highest levels of global health policy. This achievement reflects our Federation’s pledge to dismantle barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing the healthcare they need, and it energises our ongoing work with partners to make disability-inclusive health a reality in every community.

While this decision is a major step forward, more must be done to ensure implementation. We will continue working alongside OPDs, governments, and civil society to push for quality sunscreen to be accessible and affordable for all who need it, particularly in countries where people with albinism face the highest risks.

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