Essential medicines facts for kids
The List of Essential Medicines is a special list of important medicines put together by the WHO. Think of it like a shopping list for health, but for countries! It includes drugs that everyone needs for basic health care. These medicines should be easy to find and not too expensive.
The WHO first made this list in 1977. They check and update it every two years to make sure it still has the best and most needed medicines. By 2016, the list had over 300 different medicines and vaccines. Most of these medicines (about 95%) are not protected by patents. This means that many companies can make them, which helps keep prices lower.
Contents
What is the WHO Essential Medicines List?
The World Health Organization creates the List of Essential Medicines. It helps countries decide which medicines are most important. The goal is to make sure everyone can get the basic medicines they need. These medicines help treat common illnesses and save lives.
Why is This List Important?
This list is very important for many reasons. It guides governments on what medicines to buy and stock. It also helps doctors know which treatments are recommended worldwide. The list makes sure that even people in poorer areas can get vital medicines. It helps countries plan their health budgets wisely.
What Challenges Does the List Face?
Even though the list is very helpful, it has some challenges. One big problem is that some diseases mostly affect people in developing countries. These people often cannot pay high prices for medicines. This means drug companies sometimes do not spend money to create new drugs for these diseases. Examples include diseases like malaria or tuberculosis.
Making Medicines Affordable
Another challenge is that some medicines on the list are still protected by patents. This means only one company can make them for a while. Because of this, these medicines can be very expensive. For example, some drugs used to treat AIDS can be quite costly. The WHO tries to find ways to make these important medicines more affordable for everyone.
Helping Countries in Need
Sadly, a study by the World Bank found that about one-third of the world's population cannot get these important medicines. This means millions of people do not have access to the basic care they need. The WHO and other groups are working hard to change this. They want to make sure these essential medicines reach everyone, no matter where they live.
Images for kids
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2017 marked the 40th anniversary of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
See also
In Spanish: Medicamento esencial para niños
