EDL contains a list of essential medicines that should be available at all times in adequate amounts, appropriate dosage forms, and at affordable prices.
Government's role: Ensure medicines are affordable and accessible.
EDL satisfies the healthcare needs of a nation, covering major public health issues.
Revised every five years (last revision: 2022).
India's EDL (2022): 384 drugs
Purpose and Criteria for Essential Drugs
Address primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare needs across PHCs, CHCs, district state hospitals, etc.
Government supplies these drugs freely under various health missions and schemes.
Examples: Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid), Iron supplements (Ferrous Salts), Lactulose for constipation.
WHO Criteria for EDL
Efficacy and Safety Data: Must have robust data on drug efficacy and safety to minimize adverse effects and national health burden.
Quality and Stability: Drugs should maintain stability and quality over time, in the specified form and storage conditions.
Cost-Effective and Accessible: Essential drugs should be affordably priced and readily available.
Revised Regularly: Periodic updates to address emerging health concerns, new drugs, and better alternatives.
Single Compound Preference: Preferably, drugs should consist of single compounds unless a fixed-dose combination is necessary.
Example Drugs in EDL
Antipyretics: Paracetamol, Aspirin.
Iron Supplements: Ferrous Salts.
Vitamin A: Available in syrup form (100,000 IU/mL).
Injection Atropine: 1 mg/mL concentration.
Drug Categories and Regulations
Prescription Drugs (Schedule H): Require a prescription and cannot be sold without one. Examples: Antibiotics.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: Can be sold without a prescription. Examples: Simple analgesics, antacids, lactulose, multivitamins.
Orphan Drugs: For treating rare diseases and not profitable for manufacturers due to low demand. Examples: Carboprost.
Illicit Drugs (Street Drugs): Drugs of abuse like cocaine, heroin, etc.
Prototype Drugs: Ideal example of a drug class. Example: Morphine in the opioid class.
Understanding Drug Naming
Chemical Name: Describes the chemical composition of the drug (e.g., Propanolol's non-proprietary name).
Generic Name: Official medical name for the active ingredient, recognized universally (e.g., Beta-blocker drugs).
Brand/Proprietary Name: Name given by the manufacturing company (e.g., Betacap for Propanolol).
Future Topics
Dosage Forms: Tablets, capsules, syrups, injections, gels, ointments, etc.
Sources of Drugs: Natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic.
Routes of Administration: Different methods of drug delivery.
Types of Drugs: Detailed categories and their regulatory framework.
Conclusion
EDL is critical for ensuring public health needs are met cost-effectively with quality drugs.
Regular updates and adherence to WHO guidelines ensure the system's efficiency and reliability.
Future lectures to delve into detailed aspects of drug forms, types, and administration routes.