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What is the WHO essential medicines list?
1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. marianna.purgato@univr.it
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
|August 1, 2012
Summary
The World Health Organization Essential Medicines List (EML) provides a core selection of medicines for healthcare systems. Adopting this list can improve medicine availability, reduce costs, and enhance overall healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Systems Strengthening
- Pharmaceutical Policy
Background:
- The World Health Organization Essential Medicines List (EML) serves as a foundational tool for global health systems.
- Ensuring access to essential medicines is critical for achieving universal health coverage.
- Variability in medicine availability and affordability poses significant challenges to healthcare provision worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the key characteristics and rationale behind the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List (EML).
- To highlight the potential benefits of utilizing a standardized list of essential medicines.
- To underscore the role of the EML in optimizing healthcare system performance.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive overview of the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List (EML).
- Analysis of the core principles guiding the selection of medicines for the EML.
- Examination of the intended impact of the EML on healthcare systems.
Main Results:
- The EML comprises a curated selection of medicines deemed fundamental for any healthcare system.
- The list prioritizes well-established, cost-effective pharmaceutical products.
- Implementation of the EML is associated with enhanced long-term medicine supply chain management.
Conclusions:
- The World Health Organization Essential Medicines List (EML) is a strategic instrument for improving healthcare.
- Focusing on a defined set of essential medicines can lead to significant cost savings.
- Wider adoption of the EML can contribute to more equitable and effective healthcare delivery.
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