The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 24th list
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World Health Organization
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68 p.
Supplemented by the WHO AWaRe classification database for evaluation and monitoring of antibiotic use (2025): https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/382244
This publication presents the 24th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML), updated in 2025 to guide the selection and use of medicines that address priority public health needs. The list identifies medicines considered most efficacious, safe and cost-effective for basic health-care systems, while also distinguishing complementary medicines that require specialized diagnostic, monitoring or treatment capacity. It provides detailed information on dosage forms, strengths and therapeutic alternatives, together with explanatory notes concerning medicine selection, pharmaceutical quality and use in children and specialized settings. The publication covers a broad range of therapeutic categories, including anaesthetics, medicines for pain and palliative care, anti-infective medicines, treatments for neurological disorders and medicines for noncommunicable diseases. It also incorporates WHO’s Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics to support antimicrobial stewardship and address antimicrobial resistance. The document is intended to support countries in developing and updating national essential medicines lists and treatment guidelines, while promoting equitable access to quality-assured medicines and their appropriate use within health systems.
Supplemented by the WHO AWaRe classification database for evaluation and monitoring of antibiotic use (2025): https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/382244
This publication presents the 24th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML), updated in 2025 to guide the selection and use of medicines that address priority public health needs. The list identifies medicines considered most efficacious, safe and cost-effective for basic health-care systems, while also distinguishing complementary medicines that require specialized diagnostic, monitoring or treatment capacity. It provides detailed information on dosage forms, strengths and therapeutic alternatives, together with explanatory notes concerning medicine selection, pharmaceutical quality and use in children and specialized settings. The publication covers a broad range of therapeutic categories, including anaesthetics, medicines for pain and palliative care, anti-infective medicines, treatments for neurological disorders and medicines for noncommunicable diseases. It also incorporates WHO’s Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics to support antimicrobial stewardship and address antimicrobial resistance. The document is intended to support countries in developing and updating national essential medicines lists and treatment guidelines, while promoting equitable access to quality-assured medicines and their appropriate use within health systems.