ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Essential medicines

Essential medicines are like the most important medicines that everyone needs to have. Think of it like when your mom packs your backpack for school, she makes sure you have your pencils, eraser, notebook, and crayons, right? Those are your essential school supplies. Similarly, essential medicines are the most important medicines that healthcare providers need to have all the time to help people who are sick or injured.

Some medicines are very expensive and not everyone can afford them, especially when they really need them. But essential medicines are usually affordable and can be found in most places around the world. It's like how your mom buys your school supplies from the store that's most convenient and offers a good price. Health organizations around the world have a list of essential medicines that includes medicines for things like infections, pain, allergies, and other common illnesses.

The list of essential medicines is updated regularly to make sure that it includes the most important medicines that people need all over the world. This helps healthcare providers to know which medicines to use and how to use them to help people feel better. Just like how your teacher teaches you the right way to use your school supplies so you can learn and do your homework.

So, in summary, essential medicines are like the most important school supplies for healthcare providers to help people who are sick or injured, and they are usually affordable and widely available.