Strengthening Evidence-Informed Decision-Making in South Africa through the National Essential Medicines List Committee and Essential Drugs Programme
1
Essential Drugs Programme, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1597
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) was established under South Africa’s National Drug Policy of 1996¹ to ensure equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines. Supported by the Essential Drugs Programme (EDP) and Expert Review Committee (ERC), the NEMLC oversees the development of the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicines List (EML). These guidance products embody the principles of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) in the selection of medicines and promote rational medicine use across all levels of care.
METHODS:
This descriptive review outlines the governance framework, roles and processes of the NEMLC, EDP Oversight Group and ERC. The analysis draws on the Evidence-Informed Decision-Making Manual for the STGs and EML², which applies six core steps aligned with international best practice for Health Technology Assessment and GRADE-based guideline development: topic prioritisation, evidence retrieval and synthesis, formulation of recommendations, review and approval, implementation, then monitoring and evaluation.
RESULTS:
The ERC undertakes evidence reviews and drafts recommendations for updates to the STGs and EML, and the NEMLC functions as the final approving body. The EDP Oversight Group provides secretariat, administrative and technical support to the NEMLC and ERC, ensuring transparent governance, conflict of interest management and record-keeping. Structured stakeholder engagement and continuous capacity-building activities enhance technical competence, institutionalise EIDM, and strengthen collaboration with national health programmes, academia, regulators, and civil society partners.
CONCLUSIONS:
The NEMLC, ERC and EDP exemplify a sustainable model for integrating EIDM and HTA into national medicines policy. Their transparent governance structures, systematic methodology, and inclusive stakeholder processes ensure that the STGs and EML remain credible, evidence-based and implementable. These mechanisms collectively support rational medicine use, improve equitable access to medicines and strengthen the resilience of South Africa’s public health system.³
The National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) was established under South Africa’s National Drug Policy of 1996¹ to ensure equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines. Supported by the Essential Drugs Programme (EDP) and Expert Review Committee (ERC), the NEMLC oversees the development of the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and Essential Medicines List (EML). These guidance products embody the principles of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) in the selection of medicines and promote rational medicine use across all levels of care.
METHODS:
This descriptive review outlines the governance framework, roles and processes of the NEMLC, EDP Oversight Group and ERC. The analysis draws on the Evidence-Informed Decision-Making Manual for the STGs and EML², which applies six core steps aligned with international best practice for Health Technology Assessment and GRADE-based guideline development: topic prioritisation, evidence retrieval and synthesis, formulation of recommendations, review and approval, implementation, then monitoring and evaluation.
RESULTS:
The ERC undertakes evidence reviews and drafts recommendations for updates to the STGs and EML, and the NEMLC functions as the final approving body. The EDP Oversight Group provides secretariat, administrative and technical support to the NEMLC and ERC, ensuring transparent governance, conflict of interest management and record-keeping. Structured stakeholder engagement and continuous capacity-building activities enhance technical competence, institutionalise EIDM, and strengthen collaboration with national health programmes, academia, regulators, and civil society partners.
CONCLUSIONS:
The NEMLC, ERC and EDP exemplify a sustainable model for integrating EIDM and HTA into national medicines policy. Their transparent governance structures, systematic methodology, and inclusive stakeholder processes ensure that the STGs and EML remain credible, evidence-based and implementable. These mechanisms collectively support rational medicine use, improve equitable access to medicines and strengthen the resilience of South Africa’s public health system.³
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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