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Why in the News?
The Government has released 384 medicines under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
Key Points:
About
National List of Essential Medicine (NLEM)
- The National List of Essential Medicines was first formulated in 1996.
- NELM is created to rationalise the use of limited resources for drugs needed the most by the greatest number of people.
- Prices of medicines included in NLEM are controlled by the Centre, ensuring lower prices.
- It is a dynamic list that takes into account any changing profile of diseases, newer drugs available on the market, and changing treatment protocols.
- Drugs deleted from the NLEM include medicines banned in India and those having reports of concerns on the safety profile.
- In NLEM, the medicines are categorized based on the level of the healthcare system as P- Primary; S- Secondary and T- Tertiary.
- Based on this list, the NPPA (National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority) will decide the ceiling prices.
Criteria for adding Medicines in NELM:
- They should:
- 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.
Benefits
- Several antibiotics, vaccines and anti-cancer drugs are set to become more affordable with their addition to the list.
- helps in optimum utilisation of healthcare resources and budget; and drafting of pharmaceutical policies.
- (NLEM) plays an important role in ensuring accessibility of affordable quality medicines at all levels of healthcare.
- boost to cost-effective, quality medicines and contribute towards a reduction in Out of Pocket Expenditure.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA):
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