WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines
The WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines are updated every two years by the Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines.
The first Essential Medicines List was published in 1977, and the first Essential Medicines List for Children was published in 2007.
The current versions, updated in September 2021, are the 22nd Essential Medicines List (EML) and the 8th Essential Medicines List for Children (EMLc).
The 2021 Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines
Current lists
Essential Medicines List
Essential Medicines List for Children
Previous lists
All →The core list presents a list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health-care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost–effective medicines...
The core list presents a list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health-care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost–effective medicines...
7 August 2019
World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 7th list 2019
The core list presents a list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health-care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines...
The core list presents a list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health-care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines...
ADULTS -- 15th edition (March 2007)
ADULTS -- 16th edition (March 2009 -- Updated March 2010)
28 February 2022
Information for applicants preparing a submission for the 2023 meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on...
The 24th meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines to revise and update the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines...
27 January 2022
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2021) - TRS 1035
The 23rd meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines was coordinated from Geneva, Switzerland, and held virtually from...
30 September 2021
WHO model list of essential medicines - 22nd list, 2021
Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population. They are selected with due regard to disease prevalence and...
29 March 2020
Selection of essential medicines at country level. Using the WHO model list of essential medicines to...
Since 1977, WHO has been working with countries to design the package of essential medicines as an integral component of treatment within...
30 January 2020
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2019) - TRS 1021
The 22nd meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines was held from 1 to 5 April 2019, in...
7 August 2019
Executive summary: the selection and use of essential medicines 2019: report of the 22nd WHO Expert Committee...
This Summary reports the recommendations made by the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines for the 2019 Essential Medicines...
30 January 2017
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2017) - TRS 1006
The 21st meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 27 to 31 March 2017....
30 January 2015
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2015) - TRS 994
The 20th meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential medicines took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 20 to 24 April 2015. The...
30 January 2013
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2013) - TRS 985
The 19th meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 8 to 12 April 2013. The...
30 January 2011
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2011) - TRS 965
The 18th Meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines took place in Accra, Ghana on 21–25 March 2011. This was...
30 January 2009
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2009) - TRS 958
The 17th meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines was held in Geneva from 23rd to 27th March 2009. The meeting...
30 January 2008
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2007) - TRS 946
The WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines met in Geneva from 19 to 23 March 2007.
30 January 2008
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2007) - TRS 950
The WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines met in Geneva from 24 to 25 October 2007.
30 January 2006
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2005) - TRS 933
The WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines met in Geneva from 7 to 11 March 2005.
30 January 2004
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2003) - TRS 920
The WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines met in Geneva from 31 March to 3 April 2003.
30 January 2003
The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines (2002) - TRS 914
The WHO Expert Committee on the Use of Essential Drugs met in Geneva from 15 to 19 April 2002.
25 February 2002
Breastfeeding and maternal medication
This document has been developed to help the health worker decide whether a mother who is breastfeeding and who needs treatment with drugs can take the...
30 January 2000
The Use of Essential Drugs (1999) - TRS 895
The WHO Expert Committee on the Use of Essential Drugs met in Geneva from 15 to 19 December 1999.
30 January 1999
The Use of Essential Drugs (1997) - TRS 882
The WHO Expert Committee on the Use of Essential Drugs met in Geneva from 1 to 5 December 1997.
29 January 1999
The Use of Essential Drugs (1995) - TRS 867
The WHO Expert Committee on the Use of Essential Drugs met in Geneva from 4 to 8 December 1995