Essential drugs and its list l Routes of drug administration l Study Pharma l

Essential drug (Medicine):
According to WHO, essential drugs are those that satisfy the healthcare needs of the majority of the population.
Criteria for the selection of essential drugs (medicines):
- Adequate data of its efficacy and safety should be available from the clinical studies.
- If drugs are in two or more similar form then choice made on the basis of its higher efficiency, safety, price and availability.
- Selection of essential drugs is a continuous process which based on the account of changing priority of the healthcare needs of the population.

Route of drug administration:
There are variety of route of drug administration. Choice of drug and route is based on the drug and the patient related factors.
Route of drug administration are:-
- Parenteral
- Enteral

- Parenteral:
Parenteral route through which drug administration other than oral or not through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Parenteral route are:-
1. Topical
2. Injectable
3. Respiration

1. Topical:
Topical route of drug administration through which drug applying on surface for local action.
Example:
Cold powder (Navratan) applying on body for coolness in summer days.

2. Injectable:
Injectable route of drug administration through which drug administered in the body via a injection. Drug directly reaches to blood stream.
Injectable routes are:-
a. Intravenous (i.v.) route ⟶ Into the vein blood vessel.

b. Intramuscular (i.m.) route ⟶ Deep into a muscle.

c. Subcutaneous route ⟶ Into the fat layer between skin and the muscle.

3. Respiration:
By this route use to administration of nasal drugs.

- Enteral:
Enteral route used to administration of drugs through gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Enteral routes are:-
1. Oral
2. Sublingual
3. Rectal or vaginal

1. Oral:
Oral route