IRIN examines WHO process of translating research results into policy recommendations

IRIN examines the WHO's regulatory approval process for making evidence-based recommendations, noting, "Governments will generally not implement an intervention without the WHO stamp of approval." The news service writes, "No matter how compelling, medical research has historically not guaranteed swift regulatory approval, but researchers are finding ways to speed up translation of their conclusions into policy." The news service cites the WHO's recommendations regarding the use of insecticide-treated bednets in 2007 and the administration of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in children in sub-Saharan Africa in 2012 as examples. "Similarly, scientists working on a malaria vaccine are optimistic that they will receive a WHO recommendation soon after trial results are reported in 2014," IRIN notes (5/23).