NIGERIA ESSENTIAL MEDICINES LIST
Act · Health
Policy date: 2020-01-01
An Act sets out Nigeria's national list of essential medicines based on efficacy and cost-effectiveness. It targets clinicians, pharmacists, and government procurement officers. This guarantees availability of key medicines to improve health outcomes.
NIGERIA ESSENTIAL MEDICINES LIST
What Is This Policy?
Nigeria's national list of essential medicines selected on the basis of evidence of efficacy, safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness, which forms the basis for government medicines procurement and health facility stocking.
Who Does It Target?
Clinicians prescribing medicines at all facility levels Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians Government health commodity procurement officers Regulatory bodies ensuring essential medicines availability
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Ensure that the most effective, safe, and cost-effective medicines are available at all levels of the health system in Nigeria, improving health outcomes while managing costs.
Key Features
Evidence-Based Selection: Medicines are selected based on rigorous review of efficacy, safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness evidence. Level Differentiation: The NEML specifies which medicines should be available at PHC, secondary, and tertiary levels. Procurement Guidance: Government facilities must stock NEML medicines as a priority in their formulary. Regular Updates: NEML is updated periodically (currently 7th edition, 2020) to reflect new evidence and disease burden.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active — 7th edition 2020 in use Coverage: All levels of the Nigerian health system Beneficiaries: Patients; health system efficiency Funding: Federal and state health budgets; donor procurement
How to Access
Download from Federal Ministry of Health website Clinicians: prescribe from the NEML as the first-choice option Procurement officers: use NEML as the standard medicines list for government facilities Application method: Access at https://www.health.gov.ng
Important Terms
Off-NEML medicines may only be prescribed where NEML alternatives are not clinically appropriate The NEML reduces medicines costs through bulk procurement of standardised products Children's specific dosage forms are addressed in the NEML for Children 2020
Official Resources
Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health — Pharmaceutical Services
Legal Framework
The Nigeria Essential Medicines List operates 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 in the benefit package), the Public Procurement Act 2007, and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. The WHO's concept of essential medicines as a pillar of the right to health under the ICESCR provides the ethical basis.