(THE GIST OF PIB) National Lists of Essential Medicines 2022

[September-2022]

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, launched National Lists of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022.

384 drugs have been included in this list with addition of 34 drugs, while 26 from the previous list have been dropped. The medicines have been categorized into 27 therapeutic categories.
The following criteria are followed for inclusion in NLEM:

be useful in diseases which is a public health problem in India
be licensed/ approved Drugs Controller General (India) (DCGI)
have proven efficacy and safety profile based on scientific evidence
be comparatively cost effective
be aligned with the current treatment guidelines
recommended under National Health Programs of India. (e.g. Ivermectin part of Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis 2018).
when more than one medicine are available from the same therapeutic class, one prototype/ medically best suited medicine of that class to be included.
price of total treatment is considered and not the unit price of a medicine
fixed dose combinations are usually not included
vaccines as and when are included in Universal Immunization Program (e.g. Rotavirus vaccine).