WHO Essential Medicines List for Adults and Children
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2018/10/16 - Updated: 2026/03/03
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Medical - Related Publications
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides a detailed reference to the World Health Organization (WHO) Model Lists of Essential Medicines for both adults and children, maintained and updated every two years since 1977 by the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines. The lists are authoritative because they represent the global standard used by more than 155 countries to guide decisions about which medications should be available to their populations at all times and in sufficient quantities. The resource is particularly useful for health care providers, patients, caregivers, and people with disabilities or chronic conditions who need to understand which medicines the WHO considers most cost-effective for treating key health problems - including categories such as palliative care, mental and behavioural disorders, cardiovascular medications, anti-infectives, and neonatal care - with minimal additional health care infrastructure required - Disabled World (DW).
- Definition: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines is a catalogue published by the World Health Organization that identifies the medications considered most important for meeting the basic health care needs of a population. First established in 1977 and updated every two years by the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, the list is divided into core items - those deemed most cost-effective and usable with minimal additional health care resources - and complementary items that may require specialized infrastructure or trained providers. A separate list for children up to 12 years of age, known as the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), was introduced in 2007 to ensure proper pediatric formulations and dosing considerations were systematically addressed. More than 155 countries have used the WHO model as a foundation for developing their own national essential medicines lists, making it one of the most widely adopted frameworks in global health policy. Current Versions
Introduction
WHO's Updated List of Essential Medicines for Children and Adults
"These medicines are chosen according to evidence of safety, efficacy and public health relevance. Essential medicines should be available in health systems everywhere, at all times," - Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Innovation.
Main Content
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) - Adults
General Anesthetics and Oxygen
- Inhalation Medicine
- Halothane
- Isoflurane
- Nitrous oxide
- Oxygen
- Injectable Medicine
- Ketamine
- Propofol
- Local Anesthetics
- Bupivacaine
- Lidocaine
- Lidocaine/Epinephrine
- Ephedrine
- Preoperative medication/sedation (short-term procedures)
- Atropine
- Midazolam
- Morphine
Medicine for Palliative Care and Pain
- Nonopioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
- Opioid Analgesics
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Medicine for Common Palliative Care Symptoms
- Amitriptyline
- Cyclizine
- Dexamethasone
- Diazepam
- Docusate sodium
- Fluoxetine
- Haloperidol
- Hyoscine butylbromide
- Hyoscine hydrobromide
- Lactulose
- Loperamide
- Metoclopramide
- Midazolam
- Ondansetron
- Senna
Antiallergics and Medicine Used in Anaphylaxis
- Dexamethasone
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Hydrocortisone
- Loratadine
- Prednisolone
Poison Antidotes and Substances
- Nonspecific
- Charcoal, activated
- Specific
- Acetylcysteine
- Atropine
- Calcium gluconate
- Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue)
- Naloxone
- Penicillamine
- Prussian blue
- Sodium nitrite
- Sodium thiosulfate
- Deferoxamine
- Dimercaprol
- Fomepizole
- Sodium calcium edetate
- Succimer
Anticonvulsive Medication
- Carbamazepine
- Diazepam
- Lamotrigine
- Lorazepam
- Magnesium sulfate
- Midazolam
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)
- Ethosuximide
Anti-infective Medicine
- Antihelminthics
- Intestinal antihelminthics
- Albendazole
- Ivermectin
- Levamisole
- Mebendazole
- Niclosamide
- Praziquantel
- Pyrantel
- Antifilarials
- Albendazole
- Diethylcarbamazine
- Ivermectin
- Antischistosomals and other antinematode Medicine
- Praziquantel
- Triclabendazole
- Oxamniquine
- Antibiotics
- Beta Lactam Medicine
- Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)
- Ampicillin
- Benzathine benzylpenicillin
- Benzylpenicillin
- Cefalexin
- Cefazolin
- Cefixime
- Cefotaxime
- Ceftriaxone
- Cloxacillin
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
- Piperacillin/tazobactam
- Procaine benzylpenicillin
- Ceftazidime
- Meropenem
- Aztreonam
- Imipenem/cilastatin
- Other antibacterials
- Amikacin
- Azithromycin
- Chloramphenicol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clarithromycin
- Clindamycin
- Doxycycline
- Gentamicin
- Metronidazole
- Nitrofurantoin
- Spectinomycin
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
- Vancomycin
- Antileprosy Medicine
- Clofazimine
- Dapsone
- Rifampicin
- Antituberculosis Medicine
- Ethambutol
- Ethambutol/isoniazid (ethambutol + isoniazid)
- Ethambutol/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/rifampicin (ethambutol + isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin)
- Ethambutol/isoniazid/rifampicin (ethambutol + isoniazid + rifampicin)
- Isoniazid
- Isoniazid/pyrazinamide/rifampicin (isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin)
- Isoniazid/rifampicin (isoniazid + rifampicin)
- Pyrazinamide
- Rifabutin
- Rifampicin
- Rifapentine
- Amikacin
- Bedaquiline
- Capreomycin
- Clofazimine
- Cycloserine
- Delamanid
- Ethionamide
- Kanamycin
- Levofloxacin
- Linezolid
- Moxifloxacin
- p-aminosalicylic acid
- Streptomycin
- Antifungal Medicine
- Amphotericin B
- Clotrimazole
- Fluconazole
- Flucytosine
- Griseofulvin
- Itraconazole
- Nystatin
- Voriconazole
- Potassium iodide
- Antiviral Medicine
- Antiherpes Medicine
- Aciclovir
- Antiretrovirals
- Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Abacavir (ABC)
- Lamivudine (3TC)
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
- Zidovudine (ZDV or AZT)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Efavirenz (EGV or EFZ)
- Nevirapine (NVP)
- Protease inhibitors
- Atazanavir
- Atazanavir/ritonavir
- Darunavir
- Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)
- Ritonavir
- Integrase inhibitors
- Dolutegravir
- Raltegravir
- Fixed-dose combinations
- Abacavir/lamivudine
- Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir
- Efavirenz/lamivudine/tenofovir
- Emtricitabine/tenofovir
- Lamivudine/nevirapine/zidovudine
- Lamivudine/zidovudine
- Medicine for prevention of HIV-related opportunistic infections
- Isoniazid/pyridoxine/sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
- Other antivirals
- Ribavirin
- Valganciclovir
- Oseltamivir
- Antihepatitis Medicine
- Medicine for hepatitis B
- Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Entecavir
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
- Medicine for hepatitis C
- Nucleotide polymerase inhibitors
- Sofosbuvir
- Protease inhibitors
- Simeprevir
- NS5A inhibitors
- Daclatasvir
- Non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitors
- Dasabuvir
- Other antivirals
- Ribavirin
- Pegylated interferon-alpha-2a or pegylated interferon-alpha-2b
- Fixed-dose combinations
- Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
- Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir
- Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
- Antiprotozoal Medicine
- Antiamoebic and antigiardiasis Medicine
- Diloxanide
- Metronidazole
- Antileishmaniasis Medicine
- Amphotericin B
- Miltefosine
- Paromomycin
- Sodium stibogluconate or meglumine antimoniate
- Antimalarial Medicine
- For curative treatment
- Amodiaquine
- Artemether
- Artemether/lumefantrine
- Artesunate
- Artesunate/amodiaquine
- Artesunate/mefloquine
- Artesunate/pyronaridine
- Chloroquine
- Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Primaquine
- Quinine
- Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine
- For prevention
- Chloroquine
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Proguanil
- Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis Medicine
- Pyrimethamine
- Sulfadiazine
- Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
- Pentamidine
- Antitrypanosomal Medicine
- African trypanosomiasis
- 1st stage
- Pentamidine
- Suramin sodium
- 2nd stage
- Eflornithine
- Melarsoprol
- Nifurtimox
- American trypanosomiasis
- Benznidazole
- Nifurtimox
Antimigraine Medicine
- Acute attack
- Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol
- Prevention
- Propranolol
Antineoplastic and Immunosuppressives
- Immunosuppressive Medicine
- Azathioprine
- Ciclosporin
- Cytotoxic and adjuvant Medicine
- All-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin)
- Allopurinol
- Asparaginase
- Bendamustine
- Bleomycin
- Calcium folinate
- Capecitabine
- Carboplatin
- Chlorambucil
- Cisplatin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Cytarabine
- Dacarbazine
- Dactinomycin
- Dasatinib
- Daunorubicin
- Docetaxel
- Doxorubicin
- Etoposide
- Filgrastim
- Fludarabine
- Fluorouracil
- Gemcitabine
- Hydroxycarbamide
- Ifosfamide
- Imatinib
- Irinotecan
- Mercaptopurine
- Mesna
- Methotrexate
- Nilotinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Paclitaxel
- Procarbazine
- Rituximab
- Thioguanine
- Trastuzumab
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vinorelbine
- Zoledronic acid
- Hormones/Antihormones
- Anastrozole
- Bicalutamide
- Dexamethasone
- Hydrocortisone
- Leuprorelin
- Methylprednisolone
- Prednisolone
- Tamoxifen
Medicine Affecting Blood
- Antianaemia Medicine
- Ferrous salt
- Ferrous salt/folic acid
- Folic acid
- Hydroxocobalamin
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents
- Medicine affecting coagulation
- Enoxaparin
- Heparin sodium
- Phytomenadione
- Protamine sulfate
- Tranexamic acid
- Warfarin
- Desmopressin
- Other Medicine for haemoglobinopathies
- Deferoxamine
- Hydroxycarbamide
Blood Products and Plasma Substitutes
- Blood and blood components
- Fresh frozen plasma
- Platelet concentrates
- Packed red blood cells
- Whole blood
- Plasma-derived Medicine
- Human immunoglobulins
- Rho(D) immune globulin
- Anti-rabies immunoglobulin
- Anti-tetanus immunoglobulin
- Human normal immunoglobulin
- Blood coagulation factors
- Coagulation factor VIII
- Coagulation factor IX
- Plasma substitutes
- Dextran 70
Cardiovascular Medicine
- Antianginal Medicine
- Bisoprolol
- Glyceryl trinitrate
- Isosorbide dinitrate
- Verapamil
- Antiarrhythmic Medicine
- Bisoprolol
- Digoxin
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Lidocaine
- Verapamil
- Amiodarone
- Antihypertensive Medicine
- Amlodipine
- Bisoprolol
- Enalapril
- Hydralazine
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Methyldopa
- Losartan
- Sodium nitroprusside
- Medicine for heart failure
- Bisoprolol
- Digoxin
- Enalapril
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Losartan
- Spironolactone
- Dopamine
- Antithrombotic Medicine
- Anti-platelet Medicine
- Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
- Clopidogrel
- Thrombolytic Medicine
- Streptokinase
- Lipid-lowering agents
- Simvastatin
Dermatological (Topical)
- Antifungal Medicine
- Miconazole
- Selenium sulfide
- Sodium thiosulfate
- Terbinafine
- Anti-infective Medicine
- Mupirocin
- Potassium permanganate
- Silver sulfadiazine
- Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic Medicine
- Betamethasone
- Calamine
- Hydrocortisone
- Medicine affecting skin differentiation and proliferation
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Coal tar
- Fluorouracil
- Podophyllum resin
- Salicylic acid
- Urea
- Scabicides and pediculicides
- Benzyl benzoate
- Permethrin
Antiparkinsonism Medicine
- Biperiden
- Carbidopa/levodopa (levodopa + carbidopa)
Diagnostic Agents
- Biperiden
- Carbidopa/levodopa (levodopa + carbidopa)
- Ophthalmic Medicine
- Fluorescein
- Tropicamide
- Radiocontrast media
- Amidotrizoate
- Barium sulfate
- Iohexol
- Meglumine iotroxate
Disinfectants/Antiseptics
- Antiseptics
- Chlorhexidine
- Ethanol
- Povidone iodine
- Disinfectants
- Alcohol based hand rub
- Chlorine base compound
- Chloroxylenol
- Glutaral
Diuretics Medicine
- Amiloride
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Mannitol
- Spironolactone
Gastrointestinal Medicine
- Pancreatic enzymes
- Antiulcer Medicine
- Omeprazole
- Ranitidine
- Antiemetic Medicine
- Dexamethasone
- Metoclopramide
- Ondansetron
- Anti-inflammatory Medicine
- Sulfasalazine
- Hydrocortisone
- Laxatives
- Senna
- Medicine used in diarrhea
- Oral rehydration
- Oral rehydration salts
- Medicine for diarrhea in children
- Zinc sulfate
Hormones, Endocrine Medicine, Contraceptives
- Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes
- Fludrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone
- Androgens
- Testosterone
- Contraceptives
- Oral hormonal contraceptives
- Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel
- Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone
- Levonorgestrel
- Ulipristal
- Injectable hormonal contraceptives
- Estradiol cypionate/medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Norethisterone enantate
- Intrauterine devices
- IUD with copper
- IUD with progestogen
- Barrier methods
- Condoms
- Diaphragms
- Implantable contraceptives
- Etonogestrel-releasing implant
- Levonorgestrel-releasing implant
- Intravaginal contraceptives
- Progesterone vaginal ring
- Insulins and other Medicine used for diabetes
- Gliclazide
- Glucagon
- Insulin injection (soluble)
- Intermediate-acting insulin
- Metformin
- Ovulation inducers
- Clomifene
- Progestogens
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Thyroid hormones and antithyroid Medicine
- Levothyroxine
- Potassium iodide
- Propylthiouracil
- Lugol's solution
Immunologicals
- Diagnostic agents
- Tuberculin, purified protein derivative (PPD)
- Sera and immunoglobulins
- Antivenom immunoglobulin
- Diphtheria antitoxin
- Vaccines
- BCG vaccine
- Cholera vaccine
- Diphtheria vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- HPV vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
- Measles vaccine
- Meningococcal meningitis vaccine
- Mumps vaccine
- Pertussis vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Poliomyelitis vaccine
- Rabies vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
- Rubella vaccine
- Tetanus vaccine
- Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
- Varicella vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine
Muscle Relaxants - Peripherally Acting - Cholinesterase Inhibitors
- Atracurium
- Neostigmine
- Suxamethonium
- Vecuronium
- Pyridostigmine
Eye Preparations
- Anti-infective agents
- Aciclovir
- Azithromycin
- Erythromycin
- Gentamicin
- Natamycin
- Ofloxacin
- Tetracycline
- Anti-inflammatory agents
- Prednisolone
- Local anesthetics
- Tetracaine
- Miotics and antiglaucoma Medicine
- Acetazolamide
- Latanoprost
- Pilocarpine
- Timolol
- Mydriatics
- Atropine
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
- Bevacizumab
Oxytocics - Antioxytocics
- Oxytocics and abortifacients
- Ergometrine
- Misoprostol
- Oxytocin
- Mifepristone used with misoprostol
- Antioxytocics (tocolytics)
- Nifedipine
Peritoneal Dialysis Solution
- Intraperitoneal dialysis solution (of appropriate composition)
Medicine for Mental/Behavioural Disorders
- Medicine used in psychotic disorders
- Chlorpromazine
- Fluphenazine
- Haloperidol
- Risperidone
- Clozapine
- Medicine used in mood disorders
- Medicine used in depressive disorders
- Amitriptyline
- Fluoxetine
- Medicine used in bipolar disorders
- Carbamazepine
- Lithium
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)
- Medicine for anxiety disorders
- Diazepam
- Medicine used for obsessive compulsive disorders
- Clomipramine
- Medicine for disorders due to psychoactive substance use
- Nicotine replacement therapy
- Methadone
Respiratory Tract Medicine
- Antiasthmatic and Medicine for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Beclometasone
- Budesonide
- Budesonide/formoterol
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Ipratropium bromide
- Salbutamol (albuterol)
Solutions Correcting Water, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disturbances
- Oral
- Oral rehydration salts
- Potassium chloride
- Parenteral
- Glucose
- Glucose with sodium chloride
- Potassium chloride
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Sodium lactate, compound solution
- Miscellaneous
- Water for injection
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
- Ascorbic acid
- Calcium
- Cholecalciferol
- Ergocalciferol
- Iodine
- Nicotinamide
- Pyridoxine
- Retinol
- Riboflavin
- Sodium fluoride
- Thiamine
- Calcium gluconate
Ear, Nose, Throat Medicine in Children
- Acetic acid
- Budesonide
- Ciprofloxacin
- Xylometazoline
Neonatal Care Specific Medicine
- Medicine administered to the neonate
- Caffeine citrate
- Chlorhexidine
- Ibuprofen
- Prostaglandin E
- Prostaglandin E1
- Prostaglandin E2
- Surfactant
- Medicine administered to the mother
- Dexamethasone
Joint Diseases Medicine
- Medicine used to treat gout
- Allopurinol
- Disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders
- Chloroquine
- Azathioprine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Methotrexate
- Penicillamine
- Sulfasalazine
- Juvenile joint diseases
- Aspirin
WHO Model List of Essential Medicine - Children (EMLc)
Anesthetics
- Inhalation Medicine
- Halothane
- Isoflurane
- Nitrous oxide
- Oxygen
- Injectable Medicine
- Ketamine
- Propofol
- Local Anesthetics
- Bupivacaine
- Lidocaine
- Lidocaine/Epinephrine
- Ephedrine
- Preoperative medication/sedation (short-term procedures)
- Atropine
- Midazolam
- Morphine
Medicine for Palliative Care and Pain
- Nonopioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
- Opioid Analgesics
- Morphine
- Medicine for Common Palliative Care Symptoms
- Amitriptyline
- Cyclizine
- Dexamethasone
- Diazepam
- Docusate sodium
- Fluoxetine
- Hyoscine hydrobromide
- Lactulose
- Loperamide
- Metoclopramide
- Midazolam
- Ondansetron
- Senna
Antiallergics and Medicine Used in Anaphylaxis
- Dexamethasone
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Hydrocortisone
- Loratadine
- Prednisolone
Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings
- Nonspecific
- Charcoal, activated
- Specific
- Acetylcysteine
- Atropine
- Calcium gluconate
- Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue)
- Naloxone
- Deferoxamine
- Dimercaprol
- Fomepizole
- Sodium calcium edetate
- Succimer
Anticonvulsants/Antiepileptics
- Carbamazepine
- Diazepam
- Lorazepam
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)
- Ethosuximide
Anti-infective Medicine
- Antihelminthics
- Intestinal antihelminthics
- Albendazole
- Levamisole
- Mebendazole
- Niclosamide
- Praziquantel
- Pyrantel
- Antifilarials
- Albendazole
- Diethylcarbamazine
- Ivermectin
- Antischistosomals and other antinematode Medicine
- Praziquantel
- Triclabendazole
- Oxamniquine
- Antibiotics
- Beta lactam Medicine
- Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)
- Ampicillin
- Benzathine benzylpenicillin
- Benzylpenicillin
- Cefalexin
- Cefazolin
- Ceftriaxone
- Cloxacillin
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
- Procaine benzylpenicillin
- Cefotaxime
- Ceftazidime
- Imipenem/cilastatin
- Other antibacterials
- Azithromycin
- Chloramphenicol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Doxycycline
- Erythromycin
- Gentamicin
- Metronidazole
- Nitrofurantoin
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
- Trimethoprim
- Clindamycin
- Vancomycin
- Antileprosy Medicine
- Clofazimine
- Dapsone
- Rifampicin
- Antituberculosis Medicine
- Ethambutol
- Isoniazid
- Pyrazinamide
- Rifabutin
- Rifampicin
- Rifapentine
- Amikacin
- Capreomycin
- Cycloserine
- Ethionamide
- Kanamycin
- Levofloxacin
- Linezolid
- p-aminosalicylic acid
- Streptomycin
- Antifungal Medicine
- Amphotericin B
- Fluconazole
- Flucytosine
- Griseofulvin
- Nystatin
- Potassium iodide
- Antiviral Medicine
- Antiherpes Medicine
- Aciclovir
- Antiretrovirals
- Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Abacavir (ABC)
- Lamivudine (3TC)
- Stavudine (d4T)
- Zidovudine (ZDV or AZT)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Efavirenz (EGV or EFZ)
- Nevirapine (NVP)
- Protease inhibitors
- Atazanavir
- Darunavir
- Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)
- Ritonavir
- Fixed-dose combinations
- Abacavir/lamivudine (abacavir + lamivudine)
- Lamivudine/nevirapine/stavudine
- Lamivudine/nevirapine/zidovudine
- Lamivudine/zidovudine
- Other antivirals
- Oseltamivir
- Ribavirin
- Valganciclovir
- Antihepatitis Medicine
- Medicine for hepatitis B
- Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Entecavir
- Antiprotozoal Medicine
- Antiamoebic and antigiardiasis Medicine
- Diloxanide
- Metronidazole
- Antileishmaniasis Medicine
- Amphotericin B
- Miltefosine
- Paromomycin
- Sodium stibogluconate or meglumine antimoniate
- Antimalarial Medicine
- For curative treatment
- Amodiaquine
- Artemether
- Artemether/lumefantrine
- Artesunate
- Artesunate/amodiaquine
- Artesunate/mefloquine
- Chloroquine
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Primaquine
- Quinine
- Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine
- For prophylaxis
- Chloroquine
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Proguanil
- Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis Medicine
- Pyrimethamine
- Sulfadiazine
- Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
- Antitrypanosomal Medicine
- African trypanosomiasis
- 1st stage
- Pentamidine
- Suramin sodium
- 2nd stage
- Eflornithine
- Nifurtimox
- Melarsoprol
- American trypanosomiasis
- Benznidazole
- Nifurtimox
Antimigraine Medicine
- Acute attack
- Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol
- Prevention
- Propranolol
Antineoplastic and Immunosuppressives
- Immunosuppressive Medicine
- Azathioprine
- Ciclosporin
- Cytotoxic and adjuvant Medicine
- Allopurinol
- Asparaginase
- Bleomycin
- Calcium folinate
- Carboplatin
- Cisplatin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Cytarabine
- Dacarbazine
- Dactinomycin
- Daunorubicin
- Doxorubicin
- Etoposide
- Filgrastim
- Ifosfamide
- Mercaptopurine
- Mesna
- Methotrexate
- Paclitaxel
- Thioguanine
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Hormones and antihormones
- Dexamethasone
- Hydrocortisone
- Methylprednisolone
- Prednisolone
Medicine Affecting Blood
- Antianaemia Medicine
- Ferrous salt
- Folic acid
- Hydroxocobalamin
- Medicine affecting coagulation
- Phytomenadione
- Desmopressin
- Heparin sodium
- Protamine sulfate
- Warfarin
- Other Medicine for haemoglobinopathies
- Deferoxamine
- Hydroxycarbamide
Blood Products and Plasma Substitutes
- Blood and blood components
- Fresh frozen plasma
- Platelet concentrates
- Packed red blood cells
- Whole blood
- Plasma-derived Medicine
- Human immunoglobulins
- Anti-rabies immunoglobulin
- Anti-tetanus immunoglobulin
- Human normal immunoglobulin
- Blood coagulation factors
- Coagulation factor VIII
- Coagulation factor IX
- Plasma substitutes
- Dextran 70
Cardiovascular Medicine
- Antihypertensive Medicine
- Enalapril
- Medicine used in heart failure
- Digoxin
- Furosemide
- Dopamine
Dermatological (Topical)
- Antifungal Medicine
- Miconazole
- Terbinafine
- Anti-infective Medicine
- Mupirocin
- Potassium permanganate
- Silver sulfadiazine
- Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic Medicine
- Betamethasone
- Calamine
- Hydrocortisone
- Medicine affecting skin differentiation and proliferation
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Coal tar
- Podophyllum resin
- Salicylic acid
- Urea
- Scabicides and pediculicides
- Benzyl benzoate
- Permethrin
Diagnostic Agents
- Ophthalmic Medicine
- Fluorescein
- Tropicamide
- Radiocontrast media
- Barium sulfate
Disinfectants/Antiseptics
- Antiseptics
- Chlorhexidine
- Ethanol
- Povidone iodine
- Disinfectants
- Alcohol based hand rub
- Chlorine base compound
- Chloroxylenol
- Glutaral
- Diuretics
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Mannitol
- Spironolactone
Gastrointestinal Medicine
- Pancreatic enzymes
- Antiulcer Medicine
- Omeprazole
- Ranitidine
- Antiemetic Medicine
- Dexamethasone
- Metoclopramide
- Ondansetron
- Medicine used in diarrhoea
- Oral rehydration
- Oral rehydration salts
- Medicine for diarrhoea
- Zinc sulfate
Hormones, Endocrine Medicine, Contraceptives
- Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes
- Fludrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone
- Insulins and other Medicine used for diabetes
- Glucagon
- Insulin injection (soluble)
- Intermediate-acting insulin
- Metformin
- Thyroid hormones and antithyroid Medicine
- Levothyroxine
- Lugol's solution
- Potassium iodide
- Propylthiouracil
Immunologicals
- Diagnostic agents
- Tuberculin, purified protein derivative (PPD)
- Sera and immunoglobulins
- Antivenom immunoglobulin
- Diphtheria antitoxin
- Vaccines
- BCG vaccine
- Cholera vaccine
- Diphtheria vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- HPV vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
- Measles vaccine
- Meningococcal meningitis vaccine
- Mumps vaccine
- Pertussis vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Poliomyelitis vaccine
- Rabies vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
- Rubella vaccine
- Tetanus vaccine
- Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
- Varicella vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine
Muscle Relaxants - Peripherally Acting - Cholinesterase Inhibitors
- Neostigmine
- Suxamethonium
- Vecuronium
- Pyridostigmine
Eye Preparations
- Anti-infective agents
- Aciclovir
- Azithromycin
- Gentamicin
- Ofloxacin
- Tetracycline
- Anti-inflammatory agents
- Prednisolone
- Local Anesthetics
- Tetracaine
- Mydriatics
- Atropine
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Peritoneal Dialysis Solution
- Intraperitoneal dialysis solution (of appropriate composition)
Medicine for Mental/Behavioural Disorders
- Medicine used in psychotic disorders
- Chlorpromazine
- Haloperidol
- Medicine used in mood disorders
- Medicine used in depressive disorders
- Fluoxetine
Respiratory Tract Medicine
- Antiasthmatic Medicine
- Budesonide
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Salbutamol (albuterol)
Solutions Correcting Water, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disturbances
- Oral
- Oral rehydration salts
- Potassium chloride
- Parenteral
- Glucose
- Glucose with sodium chloride
- Potassium chloride
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Sodium lactate, compound solution
- Miscellaneous
- Water for injection
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
- Ascorbic acid
- Cholecalciferol
- Iodine
- Pyridoxine
- Retinol
- Riboflavin
- Sodium fluoride
- Thiamine
- Calcium gluconate
Ear, Nose, Throat Medicine in Children
- Acetic acid
- Budesonide
- Ciprofloxacin
- Xylometazoline
Neonatal Care Specific Medicine
- Medicine administered to the neonate
- Caffeine citrate
- Chlorhexidine
- Ibuprofen
- Prostaglandin E
- Prostaglandin E1
- Prostaglandin E2
- Surfactant
Joint Diseases Medicine
- Disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Methotrexate
- Juvenile joint diseases
- Aspirin
*WHO Model List of Essential Medicine.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines remain one of the most consequential tools in global public health, directly shaping how nations from low-income to high-income settings stock their pharmacies, supply their clinics, and prioritize treatment access for their citizens. What makes these lists especially significant is that they are not static documents but living references, reviewed and revised on a two-year cycle to account for new evidence on safety, efficacy, and public health relevance. For people living with disabilities, chronic illness, or age-related conditions, the existence of a globally recognized baseline of necessary medications provides a measure of accountability - governments that adopt the EML framework are, in effect, committing to ensuring these drugs remain available and affordable. The separate children's list, introduced in 2007, addressed a long-standing gap by ensuring that pediatric formulations and dosing received the dedicated attention they deserve. As health systems worldwide face ongoing pressures from emerging diseases, aging populations, and resource constraints, the essential medicines framework offers a practical and evidence-based foundation for equitable access to treatment - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.