Preventive chemotherapy
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.
A child receives the proper dosage of Zithromax during a treatment campaign for trachoma in Mozambique.
Resources
Key publication
Preventive chemotherapy: tools for improving the quality of reported data and information:...
Latest publications
All →Global update on implementation of preventive chemotherapy against neglected tropical diseases in 2024
Preventive chemotherapy (PC) is defined as the largescale distribution of safe, quality-assured medicines, either alone or in combination, at regular...
Strengthening medicine procurement and supply chain management for neglected tropical diseases in 2025:...
In 2025, global efforts to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through large-scale medicine donation and procurement entered a...
Elimination of human onchocerciasis: progress report, 2024–2025
Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, remains a major public health challenge despite decades of sustained efforts. More than 99% of population requiring...
Tools
Joint Application Package for PC
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.
Access the Joint Application Package
PC Data Portal
Progress towards achieving the Roadmap targets for control and elimination of the Neglected Tropical Diseases
Access the PC Data Portal
PC Databank
This platform allows access to interactive report on status of distribution and implementation for lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis and trachoma
Access the PCT databank
Dose poles for MDA
Dose poles (height based) used to assess recommended doses of praziquantel and ivermectin to be given to individual person during mass-drug administration.
Download the dose polesDisease specific request forms for selected PC medicines
Foodborne trematode infections
Related activities