Essential Medicine List in Assam The essential medicine list is a compilation of medicines. The list satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population.These medicines are selected, based on their public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety and comparative cost effectiveness.The World Health Organization (WHO) first introduced the model list of essential drugs in 1977 and it has been revised periodically. The 23rd EML published by WHO in JULY, 2023. WHO also published 9 th EMLc for children. India has its own national list of essential medicines first published in 1996. National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and revised periodically. NLEM is last published in 2022 in our country by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Essential medicines list is better called essential drugs list as the list contains medicines, devices, vaccines and miscellaneous items needed in the hospital setting. The list is modified according to the needs and number of drugs varies depending on the type of hospital. A primary health care centre will have less number of drugs then a medical college hospital list of drugs. The list may vary according to the region. Few diseases are more common in few areas and there are places within the country which have almost no reports of few illnesses. So the local state health department modify accordingly and have it's own list for the health care needs. Modified essential drugs list for sub centres contain 30 number of different items in Assam which is needed to be present in adequate quantity through out the year and it's published by National Health Mission Assam. For different hospitals the list is also different. Civil hospital and FRUs have more numbers of drugs then in a PHC. The list is available in every hospital and government is committed to maintain the quality and quantity of these items. Doctors working in government hospital is bound to prescribe out of this listed items only. Essential drugs are medicines that are selected to treat the most important health needs of a population that are safe，effective and affordable and are available in adequate quantities and dosage forms. Why are essential drugs important？ They helped to ensure that the most important health needs are met. They can lead to better prescribing practices and lower costs. They can help to improve health delivery equit. How are essential drugs selected? The World Health Organization selects essential drugs based on a number of factors including, public health relevance and how important the drug is to the health of the population. The evidence of safety and efficacy like how well the drug works and how safe it is to the human health. The cost effectiveness meaning how affordable the drug is for individuals and the health system. The disease prevalence that is how common the disease is in the population and treatment facilities. The availability of facilities for treating the disease as well as training and experience of personel, the skills and experience of the health workers. The Honorable minister of Health government of Assam have emphasised on sticking to the essential drugs list. In Assam drugs are supplied for free of cost to the patients and the list have all the drugs needed to take care of the needs of the community. Doctors are doing their best to prescribe medicine from the essential list only. Public and patients need to trust the system for better health care.