World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines
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World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines
World map with the words "40 years of the model list of essential medicines 1977-2017"
2017 marked the 40th anniversary of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.

The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML), published by the World Health Organization (WHO), contains the medications considered to be most effective and safe to meet the most important needs in a health system. The list is frequently used by countries to help develop their own local lists of essential medicine.[1] As of 2016, more than 155 countries have created national lists of essential medicines based on the World Health Organization's model list.[2] This includes countries in both the developed and developing world.[1]

The list is divided into core items and complementary items. The core items are deemed to be the most cost effective options for key health problems and are usable with little additional health care resources. The complementary items either require additional infrastructure such as specially trained health care providers or diagnostic equipment or have a lower cost-benefit ratio.[3] About 25% of items are in the complementary list.[4] Some medications are listed as both core and complementary.[5] While most medications on the list are available as generic products, being under patent does not preclude inclusion.[6]

The first list was published in 1977 and included 212 medications.[1][7] The WHO updates the list every two years.[8] The 14th list was published in 2005 and contained 306 medications.[9] In 2015, the 19th edition of the list was published and contains around 410 medications.[8] The 20th edition was published in 2017, and comprises 433 drugs.[10][11] The 21st list was published in 2019.[12] The national lists contain between 334 and 580 medications.[4]

A separate list for children up to 12 years of age, known as the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), was created in 2007 and is in its 7th edition.[8][13] It was created to make sure that the needs of children were systematically considered such as availability of proper formulations.[14][15] Everything in the children's list is also included in the main list.[16] The list and notes are based on the 19th to 21st edition of the main list.[3][10][12] An ? indicates a medicine is only on the complementary list.[3][12]

Anaesthetics

General anaesthetics and oxygen

Inhalational medicines

Injectable medicines

Local anaesthetics

Preoperative medication and sedation for short-term procedures

Medical gases

Medicines for pain and palliative care

Nonopioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

A line drawing of a hexagon with two attachments
A skeletal model of the chemical structure of aspirin

Opioid analgesics

Medicines for other common symptoms in palliative care

Antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis

Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings

Nonspecific

Specific

Anticonvulsive medication

Anti-infective medicines

Anthelminthics

Intestinal anthelminthics

A hexagon joined to a polygon with two attachments to this double ringed structure
A skeletal model of the chemical structure of albendazole

Antifilarials

Antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines

Antibiotics

Access group

Watch group

Reserve group

Antileprosy medicines

Antituberculosis medicines

A small pile of white crystals
Pure crystals of ethambutol

Antifungal medicines

Antiviral medicines

Antiherpes medicines

Antiretrovirals

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Protease inhibitors
Two dark blue capsules with writing on them
Two capsules of atazanavir
Integrase inhibitors
Fixed-dose combinations
Medicines for prevention of HIV-related opportunistic infections
Other antivirals

Antihepatitis medicines

Medicines for hepatitis B

Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Medicines for hepatitis C

Pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals

Non-pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals

Other antivirals for hepatitis C

Antiprotozoal medicines

Antiamoebic and antigiardiasis medicines

Antileishmaniasis medicines

Antimalarial medicines

For curative treatment
For prevention

Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines

Antitrypanosomal medicines

African trypanosomiasis
1st stage
2nd stage
American trypanosomiasis

Medicines for ectoparasitic infections

Antimigraine medicines

Acute attack

Prevention

Immunomodulators and antineoplastics

Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease

Antineoplastics and supportive medicines

Cytotoxic medicines

Targeted therapies

Immunomodulators

Hormones and antihormones

Supportive medicines

Antiparkinsonism medicines

Medicines affecting the blood

Antianaemia medicines

Medicines affecting coagulation

Other medicines for haemoglobinopathies

Blood products and plasma substitutes of human origin

Blood and blood components

A straw colored liquid inside a clear plastic bag
Bag containing one unit of fresh frozen plasma

Plasma-derived medicines

Human immunoglobulins

Blood coagulation factors

Plasma substitutes

Cardiovascular medicines

Antianginal medicines

Antiarrhythmic medicines

Antihypertensive medicines

Medicines used in heart failure

Antithrombotic medicines

Anti-platelet medicines

Thrombolytic medicines

Lipid-lowering agents

Dermatological (topical)

Antifungal medicines

Anti-infective medicines

Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic medicines

Medicines affecting skin differentiation and proliferation

Scabicides and pediculicides

Diagnostic agents

Ophthalmic medicines

Radiocontrast media

Disinfectants and antiseptics

Antiseptics

Disinfectants

Diuretics

Gastrointestinal medicines

Antiulcer medicines

Antiemetic medicines

Anti-inflammatory medicines

Laxatives

Medicines used in diarrhoea

Oral rehydration

Medicines for diarrhea

Medicines for endocrine disorders

Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes

Androgens

Progestogens

Medicines for diabetes

Insulins

Oral hypoglycaemic agents

Medicines for hypoglycaemia

Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines

Immunologicals

Diagnostic agents

Sera and immunoglobulins

Vaccines

A small vial with writing on it being removed from a cardboard package
A vial of oral cholera vaccine

Muscle relaxants (peripherally-acting) and cholinesterase inhibitors

Eye preparations

Anti-infective agents

Anti-inflammatory agents

Local anesthetics

Miotics and antiglaucoma medicines

Mydriatics

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

Medicines for reproductive health and perinatal care

Contraceptives

Oral hormonal contraceptives

Injectable hormonal contraceptives

Intrauterine devices

Barrier methods

Implantable contraceptives

Intravaginal contraceptives

Ovulation inducers

Uterotonics

Antioxytocics (tocolytics)

Medicines administered to the mother

Medicines administered to the neonate

Peritoneal dialysis solution

Medicines for mental and behavioural disorders

Medicines used in psychotic disorders

Medicines used in mood disorders

Medicines used in depressive disorders

Medicines used in bipolar disorders

Medicines for anxiety disorders

Medicines used for obsessive compulsive disorders

Medicines for disorders due to psychoactive substance use

Medicines acting on the respiratory tract

Antiasthmatics and medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Solutions correcting water, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances

Oral

Parenteral

Miscellaneous

Vitamins and minerals

Ear, nose and throat medicines

Medicines for diseases of joints

Medicines used to treat gout

Disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders

Juvenile joint diseases

Notes

An ? indicates the medicine is only on the complementary list. For these items specialized diagnostic or monitoring or specialist training are needed. An item may also be listed as complementary on the basis of higher costs or a less attractive cost-benefit ratio.[3][12]

  1. ^ Thiopental may be used as an alternative depending on local availability and cost.
  2. ^ No more than 30% oxygen should be used to initiate resuscitation of neonates less than or equal to 32 weeks of gestation.
  3. ^ Not recommended for anti-inflammatory use due to lack of proven benefit to that effect
  4. ^ For the management of cancer pain
  5. ^ Alternatives limited to hydromorphone and oxycodone
  6. ^ For the management of cancer pain
  7. ^ There may be a role for sedating antihistamines for limited indications (EMLc).
  8. ^ as adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant partial or generalized seizures.
  9. ^ For use in eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia and not for other convulsant disorders
  10. ^ Oxamniquine is listed for use when praziquantel treatment fails.
  11. ^ For surgical prophylaxis
  12. ^ cloxacillin, dicloxacillin and flucloxacillin are preferred for oral administration due to better bioavailability.
  13. ^ Procaine benzylpenicillin is not recommended as first-line treatment for neonatal sepsis except in settings with high neonatal mortality, when given by trained health workers in cases where hospital care is not achievable.
  14. ^ single agent trimethoprim may be an alternative for lower urinary tract infection.
  15. ^ Also listed for single-dose treatment of trachoma and yaws.
  16. ^ Only listed for acute invasive bacterial diarrhoea (dysentery) or gonorrhoea
  17. ^ Third-generation cephalosporin of choice for use in hospitalized neonates
  18. ^ Do not administer with calcium and avoid in infants with hyperbilirubinemia.
  19. ^ Erythromycin may be an alternative. For use in combination regimens for eradication of H. pylori in adults
  20. ^ Imipenem/cilastatin is an alternative, except for acute bacterial meningitis, where meropenem is preferred
  21. ^ For use only in patients with HIV receiving protease inhibitors
  22. ^ For treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) only
  23. ^ For use only in combination with meropenem or imipenem/cilastatin
  24. ^ Terizidone may be an alternative
  25. ^ Prothionamide may be an alternative
  26. ^ Ofloxacin and moxifloxacin may be alternatives based on availability and programme considerations.
  27. ^ Imipenem/cilastatin may be an alternative
  28. ^ For treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, mycoses caused by Talaromyces marneffei and chromoblastomycosis; and prophylaxis of histoplasmosis and infections caused by T. marneffei in AIDS patients
  29. ^ For treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and acute invasive aspergillosis
  30. ^ For use in pregnant women and in second-line regimens in accordance with WHO treatemnt guidelines.
  31. ^ a b Emtricitabine (FTC) is an acceptable alternative to 3TC, based on knowledge of the pharmacology, the resistance patterns and clinical trials of antiretrovirals.
  32. ^ Combination also indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis
  33. ^ For the treatment of viral haemorrhagic fevers
  34. ^ For the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVr).
  35. ^ For severe illness due to confirmed or suspected influenza virus infection in critically ill hospitalized patients
  36. ^ When used in combination with sofosbuvir
  37. ^ When used in combination with daclatasvir
  38. ^ For the treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with direct acting anti-viral medicines
  39. ^ To be used in combination with ribavirin
  40. ^ a b To be used in combination with artesunate 50 mg
  41. ^ For use in the management of severe malaria
  42. ^ Not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy or in children below 5 kg
  43. ^ To be used in combination with either amodiaquine, mefloquine or sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine
  44. ^ Other combinations that deliver the target doses required such as 153 mg or 200 mg (as hydrochloride) with 50 mg artesunate can be alternatives.
  45. ^ For use only for the treatment of P. vivax infection
  46. ^ For use only in combination with quinine
  47. ^ Only for use to achieve radical cure of P. vivax and P. ovale infections, given for 14 days
  48. ^ For use only in the management of severe malaria, and should be used in combination with doxycycline
  49. ^ Only in combination with artesunate 50 mg
  50. ^ For use only in Central American regions, for P. vivax infections
  51. ^ For use only in combination with chloroquine
  52. ^ For the treatment of 1st and 2nd stage human African trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection
  53. ^ To be used for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection
  54. ^ To be used for the treatment of the initial phase of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection
  55. ^ To be used for the treatment of T. b. gambiense infection
  56. ^ Only to be used in combination with eflornithine, for the treatment of T. b. gambiense infection
  57. ^ Certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab are alternatives, including quality-assured biosimilars
  58. ^ a b c Including quality-assured biosimilars
  59. ^ Gefitinib and afatinib are alternatives
  60. ^ Pembrolizumab is an alternative
  61. ^ Apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban are alternatives
  62. ^ Alternatives are limited to nadroparin and dalteparin
  63. ^ Deferasirox oral form may be an alternative, depending on cost and availability.
  64. ^ Polygeline, injectable solution, 3.5% is considered as equivalent.
  65. ^ a b c Includes metoprolol and carvedilol as alternatives
  66. ^ Includes atenolol, metoprolol and carvedilol as alternatives. Atenolol should not be used as a first-line agent in uncomplicated hypertension in patients >60 years
  67. ^ Hydralazine is listed for use in the acute management of severe pregnancy-induced hypertension only. Its use in the treatment of essential hypertension is not recommended in view of the availability of more evidence of efficacy and safety of other medicines.
  68. ^ Methyldopa is listed for use in the management of pregnancy-induced hypertension only. Its use in the treatment of essential hypertension is not recommended in view of the availability of more evidence of efficacy and safety of other medicines.
  69. ^ For use in high-risk patients
  70. ^ In acute diarrhoea, zinc sulfate should be used as an adjunct to oral rehydration salts
  71. ^ Glibenclamide not suitable above 60 years
  72. ^ Carbimazole is an alternative depending on local availability
  73. ^ For use when alternative first-line treatment is not appropriate or available
  74. ^ Exact type to be defined locally
  75. ^ a b c d e f Recommended for some high-risk populations
  76. ^ a b c Recommended only for immunization programmes with certain characteristics
  77. ^ a b c Recommended for certain regions
  78. ^ For infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  79. ^ Or homatropine (hydrobromide) or cyclopentolate (hydrochloride)
  80. ^ For use in women actively breastfeeding at least 4 times per day
  81. ^ Where permitted under national law and where culturally acceptable
  82. ^ For induction of labour, should only be used where appropriate facilities are available
  83. ^ Buprenorphine considered to have similar clinical performance and best evidence for effectiveness and safety
  84. ^ Ergocalciferol can be used as an alternative.
  85. ^ For use for rheumatic fever, juvenile arthritis, Kawasaki disease

References

  1. ^ a b c "Essential medicines". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2017.
  2. ^ "The WHO Essential Medicines List (EML): 30th anniversary". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d "19th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines" (PDF). who.int. World Health Organization. April 2015. p. Annex 1. Retrieved 2017.
  4. ^ a b Bansal, D; Purohit, VK (January 2013). "Accessibility and use of essential medicines in health care: Current progress and challenges in India". Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics. 4 (1): 13-18. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.107642. PMC 3643337. PMID 23662019.
  5. ^ "The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines - WHO Technical Report Series, No. 920: 5. Reviews of sections of the Model List: 5.2 Review of core versus complementary listing of medicines". apps.who.int. 2003. Retrieved 2017.
  6. ^ Beall, Reed (2016). "Patents and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (18th Edition): Clarifying the Debate on IP and Access" (PDF). WIPO. Retrieved 2017.
  7. ^ Wirtz, VJ; Hogerzeil, HV; Gray, AL; Bigdeli, M; de Joncheere, CP; et al. (28 January 2017). "Essential medicines for universal health coverage". The Lancet. 389 (10067): 403-476. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31599-9. PMID 27832874.
  8. ^ a b c "WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2017.
  9. ^ Prakash, B; Nadig, P; Nayak, A (2016). "Rational Prescription for a Dermatologist". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 61 (1): 32-38. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.174017. PMC 4763692. PMID 26955092.
  10. ^ a b "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines 20th List" (PDF). March 2017. Retrieved 2017.
  11. ^ "Essential Medicines List and WHO Model Formulary". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d "World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019". 2019. hdl:10665/325771. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ "World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 7th list 2019". 2019. hdl:10665/325772. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. ^ Rose, K; Anker, JNVd (2010). Guide to Paediatric Drug Development and Clinical Research. Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. p. 42. ISBN 9783805593625.
  15. ^ Seyberth, HW; Rane, A; Schwab, M (2011). Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 358. ISBN 9783642201950.
  16. ^ Kalle, H (9 February 2017). "Essential Medicines for Children". Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 101 (6): 718-720. doi:10.1002/cpt.661. PMID 28182281.

Further reading


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