The Gujarat government has significantly expanded its essential drug list (EDL), increasing the number of life-saving medications from 717 to 1,382. These medicines will be available free of charge at all state health centres, from sub-centres to civil hospitals in both rural and urban areas.

State health minister Rushikesh Patel announced the update to the Essential Drug List (EDL) for 2024–25 at a press conference in Gandhinagar on Jul 26. 

This expansion includes the addition of 665 new drugs, ensuring that patients across the state will have access to improved treatment and high-quality medicines, he said, emphasising the government’s commitment to providing top-tier treatment and quality medications to every patient in Gujarat.

Minister Patel explained that the state government revises the essential drug list annually. The newly added medications cover drugs for 12 diseases including cancer, infections, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases.

EDL 2024–25 includes: 

• 308 primary therapy drugs
• 495 secondary therapy drugs
• 1,349 tertiary therapy drugs
• 33 special therapy drugs

In total, the list now includes 543 tablets, 331 injections, 300 surgical items, and 208 other drug forms.

Notably, the new EDL has 117 cardiovascular drugs, up from 24 in 2022–23. Similarly, anti-infection drugs are up from 120 to 199, anti-cancer drugs, from 13 to 47, and neurological and psychiatric drugs have increased from 52 to 123 in EDL 2024–25.