Defining the essential
The National List of Essential Medicines 2003 consists of 354 drugs in 27 therapeutic categories. The purpose of such a list is to ensure that it's available within functioning health systems at all times in adequate quantities, in appropriate dosage forms and of assured quality. The list is based on the burden of the disease prevalent in the country, the product's efficacy and safety, and its cost-effectiveness in comparison with other drugs in the market and in relation to the cost of treatment. The World Health Organization's (who) list of 316 drugs acts as an indicative list for governments to draw up their own lists. It reviews this list every two years and advises countries to do the same. India's current list was drawn up in 2003 after a gap of seven years but consulted the who 's list, principles and guidelines. "Nearly 100 experts from across the country were consulted and the list represents their collective wisdom,' says Brijesh Regal, member of the committee for the review of the 1996 list. 71 new drugs were added to the list and three were removed. Amongst the new drugs added to the list is an entire section on hiv/aids drugs and several new anti-cancer drugs
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