What are essential medicines according to WHO, and why is access critical?

• A. Essential medicines are optional drugs used in rare conditions and access is not critical.
• B. Essential medicines are all drugs approved by any country and access is irrelevant.
• C. Essential medicines are medicines that are only available in high-income settings.
• D. Essential medicines are those that meet priority health care needs; access ensures treatment for common conditions and cost containment.

Answer: (D)

Essential medicines are those medicines that meet the priority health care needs of the population. They’re chosen because they are safe, effective, of good quality, and affordable, and they should be available in adequate quantities, in the right dosage forms, at all times. The idea is to focus on medicines that will have the greatest impact on public health given limited resources.

Access is critical because having these medicines in theory isn’t enough—people must be able to obtain them. When essential medicines are accessible, common conditions can be treated early, morbidity and mortality decline, and overall health outcomes improve. Accessible essential medicines also help health systems control costs by concentrating procurement and use on what is most needed and proven, promoting rational prescribing and accountability. In contrast, statements that describe these medicines as optional, or only in high-income settings, or only based on approvals from any country, don’t reflect the WHO approach, which centers on meeting priority health needs for everyone and ensuring affordable access.