Science and Technology News

WHO Cancer Agency’s Drug Classification

August 8 , 2026 15 hrs 0 min 79 0

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified three commonly used medicines as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1).
The medicines are Hydrochlorothiazide (used for high blood pressure), Voriconazole (used for fungal infections), and Tacrolimus (an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ transplant rejection).
Hydrochlorothiazide and Voriconazole were associated with increased risk of squamous cell skin carcinoma, while Tacrolimus was linked with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.
The medicines are included in the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines and are used by millions worldwide.
Experts clarified that patients should not stop these medicines without medical advice, as the classification identifies potential hazards and does not measure cancer risk at prescribed doses.