Tag: Essential medicines

As of September 2024, the United States saw a decrease in active drug shortages to 277, though half of these had persisted for two years or more. These prolonged and often critical supply disruptions mean that many patients are still at risk, raising concerns about what are the 5 essential drugs facing shortages and how the problem can be addressed.

First published in 1977, the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines serves as a guide for countries to identify their priority health needs. This comprehensive list offers guidance on **what are examples of essential drugs**, which are defined as medications that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of a population. The selection process considers factors such as public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and cost-effectiveness to ensure wide accessibility.