Cancer Medicines
Cytotoxic and targeted agents spanning the taxane, antifolate and EGFR-tyrosine-kinase-inhibitor classes, supplied with the analytical and stability documentation oncology procurement requires.
When WHO prepared the September 2025 revision of its Model List, it evaluated 25 cancer medicines across seven applications and included only therapies proven to prolong life by at least four to six months. Listing is a deliberately narrow signal, not a catalogue of everything approved.
At a glance
- WHO includes a cancer medicine only when it is proven to prolong life by at least four to six months.
- Gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib sit in the EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor class reviewed by the WHO Expert Committee.
- Diarrhoea occurs in more than 60% of patients treated with EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.
- Paclitaxel can cause hypersensitivity reactions in up to 30% of patients, so premedication is required.
- 2025 added pembrolizumab for metastatic cervical, colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer.
01What the published guidance says
Every statement below is drawn from WHO or MSF published material and linked to its source. We summarise; we do not reproduce. Statements marked as our own are commercial positions, not clinical guidance.
WHO applies a hard benefit threshold to cancer listings
When the September 2025 revision was prepared, WHO evaluated 25 cancer medicines across seven applications and states that only therapies proven to prolong life by at least four to six months are included on the Model List. Listing is therefore a deliberately narrow signal, not a catalogue of everything approved.
EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors and their toxicity profile
In its review of non-small cell lung cancer, the WHO Expert Committee recorded that EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors are generally well tolerated, with diarrhoea occurring in more than 60% of patients treated, characteristic dermatological toxicity and rash across the class, and potential hepatic toxicity. Rare but severe gastrointestinal toxicity, including perforation, was noted particularly with erlotinib.
Paclitaxel: premedication is part of the product's use
The same review records that paclitaxel is associated with a high incidence of neutropenia, frequently severe, and can cause hypersensitivity reactions in up to 30% of patients, so premedication is required to reduce that risk. Alopecia is described as universal and peripheral neuropathy common, both reversible.
2025 extended access to checkpoint inhibitors
Pembrolizumab was added to the Model List as first-line monotherapy for metastatic cervical cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, with atezolizumab and cemiplimab as therapeutic alternatives for the lung indication.
02Products in this therapeutic group
Each entry links to its full specification page.
| Product | Dosage form | Presentation notes | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paclitaxel Albumin-Bound 100mg/20mL | Injection | Chemotherapy | View Paclitaxel Albumin-Bound 100mg/20mL → |
| Pemetrexed Disodium Injection | Injection | View Pemetrexed Disodium Injection → | |
| Gefitinib 250 mg Tablets | Tablet | View Gefitinib 250 mg Tablets → | |
| Erlotinib Hydrochloride 150mg tablets | Tablet | View Erlotinib Hydrochloride 150mg tablets → | |
| Afatinib Dimaleate 40mg Tablets | Tablet | View Afatinib Dimaleate 40mg Tablets → | |
| Sunitinib Malate 12.5mg Capsules | Capsule | View Sunitinib Malate 12.5mg Capsules → |
6 products in this group · part of 186 finished dosage forms across 14 therapeutic areas.
03Specifying your order
The five things worth stating on a purchase order for this group, so the quotation comes back right first time.
Presentation and strength
State the vial size or tablet strength precisely. Cytotoxic doses are calculated per patient, so presentation is a clinical variable.
Handling and packaging
Confirm the secondary packaging and transport documentation your market requires for cytotoxic products.
Storage and shelf life
Tell us the storage condition and remaining shelf life required on arrival, since oncology procurement often specifies a minimum.
Impurity profile
Specify that the batch COA must include the full impurity profile, not only an assay result.
Listing status
Do not assume WHO Model List status in a tender. Confirm the current listing for the exact molecule against the Model List and your national list.
04How we supply it
Standardised GMP production workshops with an independent R&D laboratory and a complete quality-inspection centre.
Cytotoxic injectables
Albumin-bound paclitaxel 100 mg/20 mL and pemetrexed disodium injection, supplied with assay, impurity and sterility documentation.
Targeted oral agents
Gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib and sunitinib tablets and capsules, with dissolution and related-substances data.
Oncology-grade documentation
COA with full impurity profile, stability data, DMF and dossier packages, plus registration support for oncology filings.
Handling and packaging
Cytotoxic products are supplied in packaging suitable for safe handling; confirm your market's requirements for secondary packaging and transport documentation.
05Safety, labelling & regulatory notes
Points worth carrying into your tender, label review or clinical briefing.
- Cytotoxic medicines require handling by trained personnel under approved protocols. Promotional material must not imply self-administration or outpatient use without supervision.
- Paclitaxel requires premedication to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, which the WHO Expert Committee records as occurring in up to 30% of patients.
- Not every molecule on this page is on the WHO Model List. Listing status differs by molecule and by national adaptation — always confirm against the current Model List and your national essential medicines list before making a listing claim in a tender.
- Oncology products are subject to strict stability and storage requirements. Confirm the storage conditions and the declared shelf life for the batch you receive.
06Questions buyers ask
6 answers covering specification, documentation and regulatory questions for this group.
Is every product on this page on the WHO Essential Medicines List?
Do you supply albumin-bound paclitaxel?
What documentation comes with an oncology order?
Why do you publish the WHO toxicity notes?
Which of your oncology products are WHO-listed?
Do you supply pemetrexed and sunitinib?
07Related therapeutic areas
Adjacent groups you may want to combine on one purchase order.
Request a quotation for Oncology
Send us the products, strengths and pack sizes you need, together with the destination country, and we will return a quotation with the documentation package and lead time. Registration support documents are provided with every order.
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