This essential drug list (EDL) is published by the Dept. of Ayush, under a consultative process and includes only generic medicines from Pharmacopeia, formulary and authoritative texts and is indicated as guiding tool for procurement and stocking of medicines in the public health system ( i.e., supply of homeopathy medicines in dispensaries and hospitals and co-located homeopathic facilities in PHCs, CHCs, and District Hospitals). The essential drug list has been arrived keeping in mind disease prevalence, evidence of efficacy, safety and comparative cost effectiveness. It also keeps in mind specific consideration factors like multiple indications, dosage forms and diverse preferences of practitioners which may vary between locations. It aims to provide a careful selection of essential medicines with a limited range resulting in higher quality of patient care.
The AYUSH essential drug list were last formulated in 2000 and updated subsequently by taking inputs of homeopathic practitioners, who by virtue of being in direct touch with the patients know better about the access, quality and culturally appropriate use of homeopathy and other alternative medicines. This has resulted in a harmonized approach accommodating certain medicines in the EDL which are prepared by practitioner in a particular region because of their composition, long history of safe and effective use for certain ailments and which are not much practiced in other parts of the country owing to ignorance as well as lack of availability. This can be a essential guide to all homeopathic practitioners, not just restricted to Govt clinics/hospitals alone for procurement and stocking of medicines in their health facility.
Other Points to be noted
The medicines listed in the Essential Drugs List should be procured from a genuine supplier who meets the licensing requirement and quality standards in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940
To discourage loose dispensing of medicines to patients, it is advisable to procure medicines in standard unit pack sizes as indicated in EDL for each medicine. The unit pack size of the medicine has been indicated on the basis of weekly requirement of medicines to be given to the patients. Small dispensable paper bags, plastic bottles, polythene envelops etc. may be used for dispensing medicines to patients for 3-4 days. Homoeopathic medicines are particularly dispensed in globules in glass/plastic phials with cork.
The indications, contraindications and precautions of use given against each medicine are the general and illustrative or reference books.
The medicines to be procured out of the EDL must be distributed to patients under medical supervision.
Due care of the storage conditions and expiry dates of the medicines should be taken, Spoiled or expired medicines should not be used or dispensed.
The EDL contains generic homeopathic medicines based on Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India. Following aspects should be observed while considering procurement of medicines-
Diseases of Eye, Ear, Nose, Mouth, Teeth, Throat and Tonsils
Menstrual and reproductive health problems
Injuries, Burns, Hemorrhages
Source: Dept of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India.
