Essential drugs

Essential drugs are those that satisfy the health care needs of the majority of the population; they should therefore be available at all times in adequate amounts and in appropriate dosage forms, at a price the community can afford. The implementation of the concept of essential drugs is intended to be flexible and adaptable to many different situations; exactly which drugs are regarded as essential remains a national responsibility.

Definition

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined essential drugs as those that satisfy the health care needs of the majority of the population; they should therefore be available at all times in adequate amounts and in appropriate dosage forms, at a price the community can afford.

Selection

The selection of essential drugs is one of the core principles of the WHO's essential medicines policy. The selection is based on the disease prevalence, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness.

List of Essential Drugs

The WHO maintains a list of essential medicines, a list of the minimum medicine needs for a basic health care system. The list is divided into core list and complementary list. The core list presents a list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines for priority conditions. The complementary list presents essential medicines for priority diseases, for which specialized diagnostic or monitoring facilities, and/or specialist medical care, and/or specialist training are needed.

Access

Access to essential medicines and health products is critical for reaching universal health coverage. Medicines and health products are important for addressing health problems and improve quality of lives. They form an indispensable component of health systems in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and in alleviating disability and functional deficiency.

Challenges

Despite the progress that has been made since the essential medicines concept was first introduced in 1977, more than one third of the world’s population still lacks regular access to essential medicines. The main barriers to access are high prices, inadequate health services, and misuse of medicines.

See Also

• World Health Organization
• Health care system
• Medicine
• Disease
• Health coverage

Essential drugs Resources
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