Essential Medicines List

Essential Medicines List (EML)

 World Health Organization (WHO) maintains a list of essential medicines. These medicines are considered crucial to addressing healthcare needs. These essential medicines are chosen on their efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The World Health Organization (WHO) updates the list every two years by the expert committee. The first essential medicines list was published in 1977 and the first Essential Medicines List for Children was published in 2007. The essential medicine list is divided into two categories. The current version is updated in July 2023. This is the 23rd Essential Medicines List (EML) and the 9th Essential Medicines List for Children (EMLc).

1. Core List: This includes medicines essential for the basic health systems. It contains medications needed to address common medicines such as pain relief, antibiotics, and treatment of chronic diseases.

2. Complementary List: It includes medicines essential to address specific health needs, but not required in all healthcare settings.

Aim: The purpose of this list is to guide countries to ensure essential medicines are available, affordable, and accessible to the population. It is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and healthcare systems to prioritize the procurement and distribution of essential medicines.

The government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also publishes a list of essential medicines. The latest version was published in 2022 and named as National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022. NLEM also categorized a list of essential medicines for primary, Secondary, and Tertiary level Hospitals. NLEM has 28 sections and the essential medicines list decided by the WHO has 30 sections. Some examples of medicines included in NLEM and ELM

Sections of Drug Classes

1. Section 1 Medicines used in Anaesthesia: Halothane Nitrous oxide, Ketamine, etc.

2. Section 2 Analgesics, Antipyretics, Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Medicines used to treat Gout and Disease-Modifying Agents used in Rheumatoid Disorders: Acetyl Salicylic Acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac, Paracetamol, Morphine, Allopurinol, Colchicine, etc.

3. Section 3 Antiallergics and Medicines Used in Anaphylaxis: Adrenaline, Cetrizine, Pheniramine, Prednisolone, etc.

4. Section 4 Antidotes and Other Substances used in Management of Poisonings/Envenomation: Activated charcoal, Calcium gluconate, Naloxone, Neostigmine, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium thiosulphate, etc.

5. Section 5 Medicines used in Neurological Disorders: Carbamazepine, Lorazepam, Midazolam, etc

6. Section 6 Anti-infective Medicines: Albendazole, Mebendazole, Diethylcarbamazine, Amoxycillin, Ampicillin, Benzylpenicillin, Cefazolin, Cloxacilline, Azithromycin, Doxycyclin, etc.

7. Section 7 Anti-cancer agents including Immunosuppressives and Medicines used in Palliative Care: Actinomycin D, Cisplatin, Methotrexate, etc.

8. Section 8 Medicines affecting Blood: Folic acid, Iron sucrose, Heparin, Protamine sulfate, Erythropoietin, Ferrous salt, Heparin, Potassium sulfate, Warferin, etc.

9. Section 9 Blood products and Plasma substitutes: Fresh frozen plasma, Packed red blood cells, Whole blood, Dextran 40, Coagulant factor IX, Coagulant factor VIII, etc.

10. Section 10 Cardiovascular Medicines: Diltiazem, Verapamil, Metoprolol, Esmolol, etc

11. Section 11 Dermatological Medicines (Topical): Fusidic Acid, Silver sulfadiazine, etc.

12. Section 12 Diagnostic agents: Barium sulfate,

13. Section 13 Dialysis components (Haemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis):

14. Section 14 Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Chlorhexidine, Ethyl Alcohol, etc.

15. Section 15 Diuretics: Mannitol, Sironolactone,

16. Section 16 Ear, Nose and Throat Medicines: Ciprofloxacin, Clotrimazole,

17. Section 17 Gastrointestinal Medicines: Omeprazole, Pantaprazole, Metoclopramide, etc.

18. Section 18 Hormones, other Endocrine Medicines, and Contraceptives: Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Levonorgestrel, IUD containing copper, Insulin, etc.

19. Section 19 Immunologicals: Snake venom antiserum, Hepatitis Immunoglobulin B. BCG Vaccine, DPT vaccine, Tetanus toxoid, etc.

20. Section 20 Medicines for Neonatal Care: Caffeine, Surfactant, etc.

21. Section 21 Ophthalmological Medicines: Acyclovir, Povidone Iodine, Pilocarpine, etc.

22. Section 22 Oxytocics and Antioxytocics: Misoprostal, Oxytocin, Nifedipine, etc.

23. Section 23 Medicines used in treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Clozapine, Haloperidol,

24. Section 24 Medicines acting on the Respiratory tract: Hydrocortisone, Ipratropium, etc.

25. Section 25 Solutions correcting Water, Electrolyte disturbances and Acid-base disturbances: Oral rehydration salt, Potassium chloride, Sodium chloride, etc.

26. Section 26 Vitamins and Minerals: Ascorbic acid, calcium carbonate, Cholecalciferol, etc

27. Section 27 Medicines for COVID 19 management: Paracetamol, oxygen, etc.