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:

Evidence of efficacy and safety
Public health relevance
Comparative cost-effectiveness
Consistent high quality

Categories[edit | edit source]

The list categorizes medicines for:

General Health Care
Specialized care for certain diseases
Medicines for rare diseases
Vaccines
Palliative medicines
Pediatric formulations

Impact[edit | edit source]

The WHO list influences:

Medicine procurement and pricing policies
Health insurance coverage
Pharmaceutical production
Medical education and research

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:

HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and Cancer
Antimicrobial resistance
Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

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.