Many anticancer and several other medicines are getting cheaper after their inclusion in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022 by the Government of India. The medicines in NLEM should be available at affordable costs fixed by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority and with assured quality.
In NLEM 2022, total 384 drugs have been included with addition of 34 drugs, while 26 medicines from the NLEM 2015 have been dropped. The medicines have been categorized into 27 therapeutic categories like Anticancer, Anti Infective, Anticonvulsant, Analgesic, Anesthetics, Dialysis components, Insulin etc.
Revision of NLEM 2022 has been done after constant consultation with stakeholders spanning from academia, industrialists and public policy experts etc., and crucial documents like WHO Essential Medicine List 2021.
Various criterias are followed for inclusion in NLEM 2022 such as, medicines which are useful in diseases which is a public health problem in India; comparatively cost effective; recommended under National Health Programs of India.
It is also taken into account when more than one medicines are available from the same therapeutic class, then one prototype or medically best suited medicine of that class to be included. And vaccines as and when are included in the Universal Immunization Program. And fixed dose combinations are usually not included.
Anticancer medicines such as Bendamustine Hydrochloride, Irinotecan HCL Trihydrate, Lenalidomide, Leuprolide acetate are new to the list of NLEM along with Rotavirus vaccine and others.
“Union Health Ministry is taking various steps under vision of Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji towards Sabko Dawai, Sasti Dawai. In this direction, National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) plays an important role in ensuring accessibility of affordable quality medicines at all levels of healthcare. This will give boost to cost-effective, quality medicines and contribute towards reduction in Out of Pocket Expenditure on healthcare for the citizens.” said Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare as he launched NLEM 2022.
Union Health Minister further stated that the “essential medicines” are those that satisfy the priority health care needs, based on efficacy, safety, quality and total cost of the treatment. The primary purpose of NLEM is to promote rational use of medicines considering the three important aspects i.e., cost, safety and efficacy. It also helps in optimum utilization of healthcare resources and budget; drug procurement policies, health insurance; improving prescribing habits; medical education and training for UG/PG; and drafting pharmaceutical policies.
