WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines

The WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines are updated every two years by the Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines.

The first Essential Medicines List was published in 1977, and the first Essential Medicines List for Children was published in 2007.

The current versions, updated in September 2025, are the 24th Essential Medicines List (EML) and the 10th Essential Medicines List for Children (EMLc).

WHO Electronic EML

Short description: The eEML is a comprehensive, freely accessible, online database containing information on essential medicines.

Short description: WHO framework based on three different categories – Access, WAtch and Reserve – which all together forms the AWaRe categorization of antibiotics.

Short description: Database of the essential medicines lists for 137 countries based on the World Health Organization’s National Essential Medicines Lists Repository.

Current lists

Essential Medicines List

Essential Medicines List for Children

Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines

Previous lists

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Publications

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