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).

WHO Electronic EML

Short description: The eEML is a comprehensive, freely accessible, online database containing information on essential medicines.

WHO AWaRe

Short description: WHO framework based on three different categories – Access, WAtch and Reserve – which all together forms the AWaRe categorization of antibiotics.

WHO Global EML

Short description: Database of the essential medicines lists for 137 countries based on the World Health Organization’s National Essential Medicines Lists Repository.

The 2021 Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines

Current lists

Essential Medicines List

30 September 2021

WHO model list of essential medicines - 22nd list, 2021

Essential Medicines List for Children

30 September 2021

WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children - 8th list, 2021

30 September 2021

Executive summary: the selection and use of essential medicines 2021: report of the 23rd WHO Expert Committee on the selection and use of essential medicines

30 September 2021

2021 ‎AWaRe classification‎

Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines

Previous lists

All →

WHO model list of essential medicines - 21st 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...

Download

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...

Download

WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children - 6th list, 2017

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...

Download

WHO 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...

Download

Corrigendum (EML)

11 March 2020

Corrigendum (EMLc)

7 February 2019

Corrigendum (August 2019) - EMLc

WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines