NIGERIA ESSENTIAL MEDICINES LIST 2020 7TH EDITION

An Act updates Nigeria's essential medicines list to guide procurement and prescribing in government facilities. It targets clinicians, pharmacists, and procurement officers. This ensures access to safe and effective medicines for the public.

What Is This Policy?

The current (7th) edition of Nigeria's Essential Medicines List, updated in 2020 to reflect new evidence and changing disease burden, providing the definitive list of medicines for government facilities.

Who Does It Target?

Prescribing clinicians at all health facility levels Government pharmaceutical procurement officers Regulatory bodies ensuring medicines availability Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Provide an updated, evidence-based reference list of essential medicines optimised for Nigeria's disease burden to guide procurement, prescribing, and policy.

Key Features

Updated Medicine Selection: Added new medicines and removed outdated ones based on the latest WHO and Nigerian evidence. Antimicrobials Update: Updated antibiotic recommendations reflecting new resistance patterns. Non-Communicable Diseases: Expanded medicines for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and mental health. Electronic Format: Available in searchable electronic format for easier clinical use.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — in use at all government health facilities Coverage: All levels of the Nigerian health system Beneficiaries: Patients; health system efficiency Funding: Federal Ministry of Health

How to Access

Download from Federal Ministry of Health website Procurement officers: use the 7th edition for all government medicines procurement Clinicians: the 7th edition supersedes all previous editions Application method: Access at https://www.health.gov.ng

Important Terms

The 7th edition is the current standard — earlier editions are superseded NEML medicines receive priority in government facility stocking and procurement Off-NEML prescribing requires clinical justification

Official Resources

Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health — Pharmaceutical Services

Legal Framework

The Nigeria Essential Medicines List (7th Edition, 2020) is developed under the NAFDAC Act, the National Drug Policy, and the National Health Act 2014. It aligns with the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 (on covered medicines), the Public Procurement Act 2007 (on pharmaceutical procurement), and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. The MSF Access Campaign and WHO Technical Report Series on Essential Medicines provide international review methodology standards.