A Case Study on National List of Essential Medicines(NLEM)in India and WHO EML 2015-Overview

Abstract

Availability of modern medicine increased all over the world due to huge expansion of the global Pharma market. At the same time misuse as well as accessibility of the most of essential drugs to majority of the population was denied due to cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery combined with poor procurement policies and poor prescribing practices. During the recent years, the national list of India has assumed immense importance to improve access to medicines in India. It is therefore necessary to understand policies and guidelines followed in developing WHO essential drug list and national list of essential medicines. In this review article history of essential drug list and important inclusions in NLEM 2015 and WHO EML 2015 were highlighted.

Does India need a new pharmaceutical policy? Examining the implications of the drug price control order

“…The National List of Essential Medicines aimed to provide life‐saving medications at an affordable price to the general populace. During May 2013, 348 essential drugs were brought under price control by the DPCO and came under the category of ‘Scheduled formulations’ 10 . Under the DPCO 2013, prices of 881 formulations as of 31st December 2020 were capped 11 .…”

“…During May 2013, 348 essential drugs were brought under price control by the DPCO and came under the category of 'Scheduled formulations'. 10 Under the DPCO 2013, prices of 881 formulations as of 31st December 2020 were capped. 11 However, the penetration of the benefits of NLEM was limited in nature since it came with a set of challenges.…”

Essential medicine utilization and situation in selected ten developing countries: A compendious audit

“…A total of new 106 medicines have been included, and 70 medicines are deleted from EML 2011; thereafter, the new list of 2015 contains a total of 376 medicines. [ 35 ] Government of India in 2011 has announced a policy designed to increase the availability of EMs at a reasonable cost; thereafter, common people can easily procure. [ 36 ] The number of drugs was from initial 74 to 348.…”

“…This policy again was brush up in 2012 and 652 commonly used medicines were incorporated as Indian EMs for 27 clinical needs. [ 35 ] It has been anticipated that implementation and practicing of this policy will able to bring down the price of most of EM of India at least 10%. [ 36 ] The Central Government of India has determined in the direction of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) that the National Health Assurance Mission will provide “50 priority EMs should be available at all times at all levels to the citizens of India living below poverty line.”[ 37 ]…”

Development of a Saudi Palliative Care Essential Medication List (EML)

“…They are chosen based on their importance to public health, proof of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness [9][10][11]. It is recommended that essential drugs be made available at all times within the framework of working health institutions, in sufficient quantities, suitable dosage types, with assured quality and adequate detail, and at a price that individuals and the community can afford [12].…”