They are select based on disease prevalence and public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness. They are intend to be available to individuals and health systems at all times in functioning health systems, inadequate food form, of assured quality, and at cost. and use of essential drugs. The availability of essential medicines is one of the basic building blocks of the health care system. Essential medicines are those that meet the basic health needs of the population. They are intend at all times in the context of a functioning health system, in adequate quantities, in the form of adequate food of assured quality, and at a cost that the individual and community can afford.
The list is divided into basic items. and complementary commodities[5] Primary commodities are considered the most cost-effective options for key health problems and are feasible with limited health care resources. Complementary items require either additional infrastructure such as specially trained health care providers or diagnostic equipment or a low cost-benefit ratio.[5] About 25% of items are on the complementary list. Essential Medicines
Listed Drugs
Some drugs are list as both primary and complementary. Although most of the drugs on this list are available as generic products so being under patent does not prevent their inclusion. to drugs, availability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Although EML has been adapt in several countries, studies have reported poor availability and unaffordability of essential medicines in LMICs. It was estimate that the availability of essential medicines in LMIC health facilities was as low as 20.6% in 2014 (Bazargani, Avon, de Boer, Lufkins, & Mantel-Tevis, 2014)
. Finally, an analysis of the affordability of four CVD drugs in 18 different communities in LMICs revealed that only 33% of households in low-income countries and 60% of individuals in LMICs were able to afford these drugs (Yusuf et al. ., 2011). The WHO guidelines on domestic pharmaceutical pricing policies include regulation of mark-up in supply and distribution of pharmaceuticals, tax exemptions/reductions for pharmaceutical products, use of external reference prices, and generic drugs. have recommended sound and rational policy interventions to promote the use of ). However, as illustrated by the above studies, which are by no means exhaustive, essential drugs are still largely unaffordable and substantial family expenses.
Introducing Regulations
Countries like India have a long history of introducing regulations that cap the prices of certain essential medicines. However, the adaptation of these policies in other LMICs is not adequate (Swain, 2014). Ensuring access, quality, and affordability of all essential medicines requires that barriers and implementation gaps be adequately address at all levels of the health system. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the concept of essential medicines in 1977. Priority health care needs of the population. They are select based on public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness. Essential medicines are intende to be available at all times in the context of a functioning health system in adequate quantities, in appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a cost that individuals and communities can afford. Implementation of the essential medicine concept aims to be flexible and adaptable to many different situations.
Exactly what medicines are consider essential remains a national responsibility. Experience has shown that careful selection of a limited range of essential medicines results in a higher quality of care, better medication management (including better quality of prescribed medicines), and more efficient use of available health resources. WHO prepare the first list of essential medicines in 1977 and since then the list is revise since every 2 years. The current list is the 15th model list release in 2007. (2) The list of essential drugs includes limit-cost and safe drugs, so the open pharmaceutical market is filled with a large number of drugs, many of which are of questionable value.
WHO Model List
The WHO model list serves as a guide for the development of national and institutional essential drug lists. The concept of essential medicine has been embrace worldwide as a powerful tool to promote health equity and its impact has been remarkable. They can save lives, reduce suffering and improve health. They are select base on disease prevalence and public health relevance, evidence of clinical efficacy and safety, and comparative costs and cost-effectiveness.
Essential Medicine List
- 1 Anesthetics, pre-operative drugs, and medical gases. …
- 2 Medicines for pain and medicinal care. …
- 3 Anti-allergic drugs are use in anaphylaxis.
- 4 anticonvulsants/antiepileptics.
- 5 Anti-infective drugs…
- 6 Anti-migraine medications
Examples Of Essential Drugs
- Anesthetics, pre-operative drugs, and medical gases. …
- Medicines for pain and alleviation care. …
- Anti-allergic drugs are use in anaphylaxis.
- preventive and other substances used in the poisoning. …
- anticonvulsants/antiepileptics.
- Anti-infective drugs…
- Anti-migraine medications.
Criteria Of Essential Drugs
Essential medicines are those that meet the right-of-way health care needs of the population. They are select based on public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness.
Common Medicines
- Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone was first patented in 1923, with a long-acting formulation approved in 2013.
- Metformin. …
- Losartan. …
- Antibiotics. …
- Albuterol. …
- Antihistamines. …
- Gabapentin. …
- Omeprazole.
| Rank | Drug Name | Total Prescriptions (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atorvastatin | 112,104,359 |
| 2 | Levothyroxine | 102,595,103 |
| 3 | Lisinopril | 91,862,708 |
| 4 | Metformin | 85,739,443 |
What is WHO list?
The WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) is a register of minimum drug requirements for each health care system (Bloom, 2011). The underlying concept is that high-priority medicines should be available to all people at all times as part of a functional health system, guiding doctors to evidence-based and rational prescribing.