What are Essential Drugs?
Essential medicines, as defined by the World Health Organization, are the medicines that “satisfy the priority health care needs of the population”.
These are the medications to which people should have access at all times in sufficient amounts. The prices should be at generally affordable levels.
List Of Essential Drugs In Zambia
1 Anaesthetics, preoperative medicines, and medical gases.
2 Medicines for pain and palliative care.
3 Antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis.
4 Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings.
5 Anticonvulsants/antiepileptics.
6 Anti-infective medicines.
7 Antimigraine medicines.
How many essential drugs are there?
The current versions, updated in September 2021, are the 22nd Essential Medicines List (EML) and the 8th Essential Medicines List for Children (EMLc).
Are Essential Drugs Given for free In Zambia?
Zambia has a policy of providing medicines free of charge for public primary health care [11], yet due to resource limitations, medicines are available irregularly.
Who is in charge of Essential Drugs In Zambia?
Zambia has a three-tier public sector distribution system of essential drugs. Primary distribution of drugs and other health commodities
from the capital city, Lusaka to approximately 120 district stores and hospitals is managed by a parastatal agency called Medical Stores Limited (MSL).