Essential Medicines: Theory and Practice
The original 1977 WHO definition of "essential medicines" was that they were 'of utmost importance, basic, indispensable, and necessary for the healthcare needs of the population'. The concept was mentioned in one of the ten points of the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration on primary health care.
The difficulty of putting this into practice is reflected in the rather longer and more categorical 2002 definition:
'Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population. They are selected with due regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness. Essential medicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a price the individual and the community can afford. The implementation of the concept of essential medicines is intended to be flexible and adaptable to many different situations; exactly which medicines are regarded as essential remains a national responsibility.'
The "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines" has been updated every two years since 1977. The current version, the 17th, was published in 2011. There is also a "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children", whose third edition was also published in 2011.
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