PERSPECTIVE OF THE DOCTORS IN A NEW MEDICAL COLLEGE OF NORTH-EAST INDIA REGARDING THE NATIONAL LIST OF ESSENTIAL MEDICINES

Abstract

Objectives: To collate the perspectives of doctors regarding the national list of essential medicines (NLEM) and thus assess the factors affecting adaptation and implementation of NLEM at the state or institution level. Methods: This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted among the doctors of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, which is a new medical college and a tertiary care hospital in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh. The study was carried out for 6 months. The participants were explained the purpose of the study and requested to fill out the questionnaire and return it immediately. Data analysis was performed using simple statistical methods such as percentages and proportions. Results: Out of 73 participants, 63% were aware of NLEM, while 37% were unaware of the term NLEM. Only 17.8% of the doctors are satisfied that the drugs in the latest NLEM suffice for most of the medical conditions they come across in their daily practices. Only about 39.7% of the doctors frequently prescribed the drugs from the NLEM list in their routine practice. The majority (61.6%) of them agree that there should be a separate essential drug list supplementary to the World Health Organization list in every tertiary care medical college. Conclusion: The concept of NLEM offers the most cost-effective solution to healthcare needs. The selection of the medicines in the list or a separate state or institutional list according to the needs of the regional population can cater to most of the healthcare needs.