WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

The list of essential drugs of the World Health Organization (WHO Model List of Essential Medicines ) contains active substances and their preparations, which are classified as essential drugs. These can be the most urgent needs of a population to medical care meet. The model list is intended as a recommendation for governments of individual states to develop their own standards of care that are adapted to national guidelines and regional circumstances. By the end of 2003 156 State official lists of essential drugs were developed.

Notes

The choice of materials is done by the Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines. Every two years, the revised list, currently is the 18th version of April 2013. The first version was developed in 1977 and included 204 active ingredients. Since 2007, a separate list for children (WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children ) will be issued in 2009 in the second edition. [A 1] In the 16th version of the general list of instructions for use in children have been added yet.

The in the main list ( core list ) contained active ingredients are needed according to the WHO for the operation of a basic health care system. They should represent the most efficient, safe and cost-effective means for important diseases.

Complementary ingredients (Complementary List) relate to diseases that require special diagnostic and specific therapeutic options. Even less cost- effective means to performed as complementary.

The WHO marked active ingredients with a square symbol ( □ ), in which the use of an alternative agent with comparable therapeutic properties and the same safety in use is possible. This should be specified in the adoption and adaptation of the list of national circumstances due to these considerations and based on the price and availability. [A 2]

Active ingredients contained in the 17 version

Anesthetics

Analgesics

Therapy of allergy and anaphylaxis

Antidotes

Antiepileptic drugs

Agents against infectious diseases

Migraine medications

Antineoplastic agents, immunosuppressives and medicines in palliative care

Parkinsonian drugs

Drugs of Hematology

Blood products and plasma substitutes

Cardiovascular drugs

Dermatological drugs for topical application

Diagnostic agents

Disinfectant

Diuretics

Gastrointestinal drugs

Hormones, endocrine medicines and contraceptives active

Immunologically effective drugs

Muscle relaxants and cholinesterase inhibitors

Solutions in ophthalmology

Oxytocin and tocolytics

Peritoneal dialysis solutions

Psychotropic

In the respiratory tract active substances

Solutions for the treatment of disorders of water, electrolyte and acid - base balance

Vitamins and minerals

Treatment of ENT diseases of childhood

Special agents for newborns

Notes and references

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