WHO list of essential medicines

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

WHO Model List of Essential Medicines[edit | edit source]

The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines is a compilation published by the World Health Organization (WHO) that enumerates the most effective, safe, and cost-effective medicines deemed essential for addressing key health needs globally. The list is updated biennially and serves as a guideline for national health systems to create their own lists based on local needs and resources.

Background[edit | edit source]

The concept of essential medicines is based on the premise that a limited number of medicines can satisfy the majority of a population's healthcare needs. The first list was published in 1977 and has been a cornerstone of WHO's work in promoting primary health care.

Criteria for Inclusion[edit | edit source]

Medicines are selected for the list based on:

Categories[edit | edit source]

The list categorizes medicines for:

Impact[edit | edit source]

The WHO list influences:

Access to Medicines[edit | edit source]

The list is a tool for advocating for access to essential medicines as a part of the right to health. It is associated with policies promoting generic drug use and International Nonproprietary Names (INN).

Recent Updates[edit | edit source]

Recent updates have included medicines for:

Challenges and Criticism[edit | edit source]

The list is periodically revised to address challenges such as:

  • Balancing the inclusion of newer, more expensive medicines with cost constraints
  • The need for context-specific adaptations
  • Criticism for either inclusion or exclusion of certain medicines

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines is a guide created by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help countries prioritize the most valuable and cost-effective medicines. The list includes a wide range of medications considered essential for meeting the most important health care needs. Below is an alphabetical listing of essential medicines.

A[edit | edit source]

  • Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) - Used as an analgesic for pain relief, antipyretic for fever reduction, and anti-inflammatory medication, also known for its antithrombotic properties.
  • Amikacin - An aminoglycoside antibiotic used for a variety of bacterial infections, particularly Gram-negative bacterial infections resistant to gentamicin.
  • Amlodipine - A calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
  • Amoxicillin - A penicillin antibiotic used for a range of infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections, and urinary tract infections.
  • Ampicillin - Similar to amoxicillin, ampicillin is used for a variety of bacterial infections.
  • Artemether and Lumefantrine - An antimalarial medication used in the treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
  • Atenolol - A beta blocker that is used to treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, angina pectoris, and some types of arrhythmias.
  • Azithromycin - A macrolide antibiotic used for various bacterial infections, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.

B[edit | edit source]

  • Baclofen - A muscle relaxant used to treat spasticity.
  • Benzathine Benzylpenicillin - An antibiotic used for the long-term treatment of rheumatic fever and to prevent recurrence.
  • Bisoprolol - A beta-blocker used for the treatment of hypertension and heart-related ailments.

C[edit | edit source]

  • Captopril - An ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and some types of congestive heart failure.
  • Ceftriaxone - A broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic used for a variety of bacterial infections.
  • Chloroquine - An antimalarial drug also used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

D[edit | edit source]

  • Diazepam - A benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
  • Digoxin - A cardiac glycoside used in the management of various heart conditions, especially atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

E[edit | edit source]

  • Enalapril - An ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure, diabetic nephropathy, and some types of chronic heart failure.
  • Erythromycin - A macrolide antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

F[edit | edit source]

  • Fentanyl - A potent opioid used for pain management, including chronic pain and in palliative care.
  • Fluconazole - An antifungal medication used to treat and prevent a variety of fungal and yeast infections.

G[edit | edit source]

  • Gentamicin - An aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat many types of bacterial infections, especially those caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

H[edit | edit source]

  • Hydrochlorothiazide - A diuretic medication used to treat high blood pressure and swelling due to fluid build-up.

I[edit | edit source]

  • Ibuprofen - A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, reduce fever, and reduce inflammation.

J[edit | edit source]

K[edit | edit source]

  • Ketoconazole - An antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections.

L[edit | edit source]

  • Levodopa (usually combined with Carbidopa) - Used in the management of Parkinson's disease.

M[edit | edit source]

  • Morphine - An opioid used for severe pain management.

N[edit | edit source]

  • Naloxone - An opioid antagonist used to counter the effects of opioid overdose.

O[edit | edit source]

  • Omeprazole - A proton-pump inhibitor used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease.

P[edit | edit source]

Q[edit | edit source]

  • Quinine - Used to treat malaria and nocturnal leg cramps.

R[edit | edit source]

  • Rifampicin - An antibiotic used to treat several types of bacterial infections, including tuberculosis.

S[edit | edit source]

T[edit | edit source]

  • Tetracycline - An antibiotic used to treat a number of infections.

U[edit | edit source]

V[edit | edit source]

  • Vancomycin - An antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections.

W[edit | edit source]

  • Warfarin - An anticoagulant used to prevent and treat blood clots.

X[edit | edit source]

Y[edit | edit source]

Z[edit | edit source]

  • Zidovudine - An antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS.

Detailed list[edit | edit source]

Also see[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD