Health Ministry has released National List of Essential Medicines, 2022, comprising 384 drugs. The ministry has removed 26 drugs that were part of the previous NLEM, including Methyldopa, Atenolol, Alteplase, White Petrolatum, Cetrimide, Bleaching Powder, Sucralfate, Ranitidine, Erythromycin and Nicotinamide. Reasons for the deletion include safety concerns and alternatives with better efficacy.