Essential medicines: An Indian perspective

Abstract

The concept of defining essential medicines and establishing a list of them was aimed to improve the availability of affordable medicines for the world's poor. Access to essential medicines is a major determinant of health outcomes. Several countries have made substantial progress towards increasing access to essential medicines, but access to essential medicines in developing countries like India is not adequate. In this review we have tried to present the Indian scenario in respect to availability and accessibility of essential medicines over last one decade. To enhance the credibility of Indian healthcare system, procurement and delivery systems of essential medicines have to be strengthened through government commitment, careful selection, adequate public sector financing, efficient distribution systems, control on taxes and duties, and inculcating a culture of rational use of medicines in current and future prescribers.

Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding generic medicines and its usage: a community-based study

“…3 Despite this, several essential medicines remain inaccessible within India especially to the poor, due to policy and implementation failures in ensuring access. 4,5 in the market, drug pricing becomes a major issue. In India, very few people have health insurance, which leads to 70% of Indians paying for healthcare out of their own pockets.…”

Clinical and economical impacts of guideline implementation by the pharmaceutical care unit for high cost medications in a referral teaching hospital

“…This is a concerning issue since medical as well as financial resources are limited, particularly in developing countries [ 1 ]. In developing countries, although drugs constitute up to 40% of the healthcare budget, a large number of people may not have adequate access to the most basic or essential medicines [ 2 ].…”

Essential medicine utilization and situation in selected ten developing countries: A compendious audit

“…[ 31 ] The EML was revised at least 3 times in 2003, 2011, and 2015. [ 32 33 ] The EML 2015 of India “has been prepared adhering to the basic principles of Efficacy, Safety, Cost-Effectiveness; consideration of diseases as public health problems in India. The list could be called as a Best-Fit List.”[ 34 ] The EML 2011 contains 348 medicines.…”

“…[ 54 ] Although the Indian scenario regarding utilization of EM has improved, nonetheless, lot more to go to ensure health care for all. [ 32 55 ]…”