The Government of India has adopted the Committee Report on Preparation of National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) for Animal Use

The Government of India issued a notification adopting the Committee Report on Preparation of National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) for Animal Use. The notification was issued on 18^th November 2020. The said Committee Report was prepared by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute under the chairmanship of Dr. R. K. Singh. The list of medicines will be operational with immediate effect.

Among other things, at the very outset, the report defines ‘essential medicines for veterinary use’.

The Report examines the unique characteristics of animal disease such as the prevalence of patterns of diseases, particularly in livestock. It also scrutinizes the expenditure made on veterinary health in India. It also underscores the importance of access and availability of NLEM and emphasizes innovation in this regards.

The Report also raises concerns on issues of affordability, availability and antibiotic resistance in respect of veterinary medicines.

Purpose of NLEM for Animal Use

The following are the benefits of NLEM for animal use:

1. Encouragement of safe and effective treatment of prevalent, endemic and zoonotic disease conditions of livestock
2. Promotion of rational use of medicines
3. Optimisation of available livestock health resources
4. Preparation of the list of essential medicines
5. Guide on Avoidance of antibiotic resistance
6. Identification of ‘Must Know’ domain for teaching and training of veterinary care professionals
7. Procurement/ supply of medicines in the public sector

The Report further describes the rationale of essential medicines for animal use and emphasizes its dynamic nature.

Guidelines and Criteria

The Report, inter alia, prescribes the following criteria for inclusion of medicines for animal use in NLEM:

1. The veterinary medicine should be approved or licensed in India
2. It should be therapeutic for an animal disease prevalent in India
3. It should have proven efficacy, cost-effectiveness and safety profile based on valid scientific evidence
4. The medicine must be in line with current treatment guidelines
5.  It should be stable in storage conditions in India.

In summation, the Report recommends two vaccines as essential for animal use in the present Indian context:

1. Foot and Mouth Disease (Trivalent) Oil adjuvant vaccines
2. Brucella Abortus (S19 strain) Vaccine, Live Freeze Dried