WHO recommends preventive chemotherapy as the core strategic intervention against four main helminth diseases: lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases. Preventive chemotherapy is also a component of the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvements) strategy for the control, prevention and elimination of trachoma. It is recommended also for controlling morbidity due to foodborne trematode infections, and is a strategic component of WHO-recommended strategies against leprosy, scabies, taeniasis and yaws.
Medicines are generally delivered and administered to entire eligible populations or population groups mostly by non-medical personnel following a short training session. Schools, community networks and other social platforms are extensively used as outreach points to maximize coverage.
Key publication
Latest publications
All →Preventive chemotherapy (PC) is defined as the largescale distribution of safe, quality-assured medicines, either alone or in combination, at regular...
In 2025, global efforts to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through large-scale medicine donation and procurement entered a...
Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, remains a major public health challenge despite decades of sustained efforts. More than 99% of population requiring...
Tools
WHO facilitates the supply of some medicines donated by the pharmaceutical industry. A joint mechanism and a set of forms have been developed to facilitate the process of application, review and reporting as well as to improve coordination and integration among different programmes.
Progress towards achieving the Roadmap targets for control and elimination of the Neglected Tropical Diseases
This platform allows access to interactive report on status of distribution and implementation for lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis and trachoma
Dose poles (height based) used to assess recommended doses of praziquantel and ivermectin to be given to individual person during mass-drug administration.
Disease specific request forms for selected PC medicines
Related activities
