Gujarat Expands Essential Drug List to 1,479 Medicines, 150 Added, 57 Removed
Gandhinagar: In a move aimed at improving access to medicines through public healthcare facilities, the Gujarat government has expanded its Essential Drug List (EDL) for the year 2025-6. The updated list now contains a total of 1,479 medicines and medical supplies after the addition of 150 new medicines and the removal of 57 drugs following a detailed review.
According to a recent media report in NDTV, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya stated that medicines included in the Essential Drug List will continue to be provided free of cost to patients through government healthcare institutions across the state.
The previous Essential Drug List for 2024–25 included 1,386 medicines. The revision was undertaken by Gujarat Medical Services Corporation Limited (GMSCL), which conducted a comprehensive assessment of medicines currently being used across government hospitals and healthcare centres. Based on this evaluation, 150 medicines were newly included while 57 medicines considered unnecessary were removed from the list.
Medicines included under the Essential Drug List are distributed across different levels of the state’s public healthcare system, including primary health centres, community health centres, district hospitals, and medical college hospitals. The government aims to ensure that patients receive necessary treatment and medicines without financial burden.
The Essential Drug List is revised every year to streamline procurement and ensure availability of essential medicines across government healthcare facilities. Apart from medicines, the list also includes surgical items and other medical supplies that are provided free of cost at primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare institutions.
Under the revised list, 378 medicines are designated for primary-level healthcare facilities, while 628 medicines are allocated for secondary-level healthcare services. Tertiary care hospitals that provide specialised treatment will have access to 1,475 medicines and related medical items.
The updated list has also expanded medicines across several therapeutic categories. The number of anti-infective medicines has increased from 202 to 216, respiratory medicines from 29 to 40, and ophthalmic medicines from 51 to 58. Gastrointestinal medicines have increased from 52 to 56, while medical devices included in the list have risen from 287 to 349, NDTV reported.
Additionally, the revised list includes medicines for several major disease categories such as 116 medicines for cardiovascular diseases, 56 medicines for cancer treatment, 75 medicines for neurological disorders, and 43 medicines for mental health conditions.
The state government stated that regular updates to the Essential Drug List help ensure that government hospitals remain equipped with modern and effective medicines, enabling better treatment outcomes for patients across Gujarat
