title: The essential medicines list for a global patient population.
abstract: Thirty years after its inception, the role, audience, and contents of the global Essential Medicines List (EML) are reviewed. Challenges for decision makers in applying the principles of medicine selection based on efficacy, safety, burden of disease, and cost effectiveness are discussed and illustrated with recent decisions of the Expert Committee. Areas of controversy for decision makers are highlighted, and the advocacy role of the EML for both drug procurement and development of quality-assured products is described.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Jane.Robertson@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018954:Drugs, Essential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005104:Expert Testimony; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D018954:Drugs, Essential