WHO's Updated List of Essential Medicines for Children and Adults

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2018/10/16 - Updated: 2024/07/15
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Medical Research and News - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines for adults and children that satisfy priority health care needs of the population. 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.

Introduction

"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 Item

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

*For further information visit World Health Organization - WHO Model List of Essential Medicine.

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, .

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Citing and References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2018, October 16 - Last revised: 2024, July 15). WHO's Updated List of Essential Medicines for Children and Adults. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved March 20, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/eml.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/eml.php">WHO's Updated List of Essential Medicines for Children and Adults</a>: World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines for adults and children that satisfy priority health care needs of the population.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.