384 drugs have been included in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) with the addition of 34 drugs, while 26 from the previous list have been dropped.

“Union Health Ministry is taking various steps under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards Sabko Dawai, Sasti Dawai. In this direction, the 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 a boost to cost-effective, quality medicines and contribute towards reduction in out of pocket expenditure on healthcare for the citizens,” stated Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare during the launch of NLEM 2022.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Health Minister said, "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."

He elaborated that the concept is based on the premise that a limited list of carefully selected medicines will improve quality of health care, provide cost-effective health care and better management of medicines.

He added that the NLEM is a dynamic document and is revised on a regular basis considering the changing public health priorities as well as advancement in pharmaceutical knowledge.

While congratulating the stakeholders for the revised NLEM which takes the country forward in the direction of provisioning of affordable healthcare to its citizens, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State stressed on enhancing awareness regarding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) which is emerging as a big challenge for our scientists and community and we need to create awareness in the society about AMR.

The National List of Essential Medicines was first formulated in 1996 and it was revised thrice earlier in 2003, 2011, and 2015.