Four Anti-cancer medicines added in essential medicines list by Indian government

The National List of Essential Medicines, which includes four major anti-cancer medicine, has been elevated to Higher Standard. Bendamustine Hydrochloride, HCI Trihydrate, Lenalidomide, and Leuprolide Acetate are among the drugs listed.

"Four Anti-cancer drugs have been added to the list like Bendamustine Hydrochloride, Irinotecan HCI Trihydrate, Lenalidomide and Leuprolide acetate, these medicines are effective in various types of cancers, and these are affordable also," Vice Chairman, Standing National Committee on Medicines & Health Care Product told ANI.

In addition, government is also working on trade rationalisation to ensure that those medicines that are used for common cancer can be brought into a cheap limit, he said.

According to the National List of Essential Medicines, 384 drugs including anti-infectives such as ivermectin, mupirocin, meropenem and nicotine replacement therapy have been added to the list.

Fludrocortisone, Ormeloxifene, Insulin Glargine, and Teneliglitin have been added to the list, according to the list. Hormones, other endocrine medicines, and contraceptives have been added, according to the list.

The respiratory tract is the target of medicines Montelukast and ophthalmological drug Latanoprost, cardiovascular medicines Dabigatran and Tenecteplase, as well as medicines for the heart and eye.

In September last year, the government officially released the revised list of 399 formulations. An expert committee under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had submitted the revised list in 2017 and it was officially released in September that year.