NEMLIT level D medicines in Tanzania: what a regional referral hospital can stock and who can prescribe them
Tanzania's National Essential Medicines List (NEMLIT, 7th edition, 2026) lists 117 medicines at level D, meaning they should be available from regional referral hospital level upwards. Level D medicines may be prescribed by specialists, medical officers and dental officers. None of them is on the DukaDawa pharmacy network yet.
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Which medicines can a regional referral hospital stock in Tanzania?
The NEMLIT (7th edition, 2026) lists 117 medicines at level D (regional referral hospital), in 50 categories, most in Antidotes (Specific). A regional referral hospital may also stock medicines listed at levels A, B and C.
By category
- Antidotes (Specific) (8)
- Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) (8)
- Miotics and Antiglaucoma (7)
- Anti-allergy, Artificial Tears and Anti-inflammatory Agents (5)
- Injectable Medicines and Other Pre-Medication (5)
- Antineoplastics, Immunosuppressives and Immunomodulators (4)
- Mydriatics and Anti-vascular Endothelial (4)
- Watch Group Antibiotics (4)
- Adrenal Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes (3)
- Anticonvulsants and Antiepileptics (3)
- Blood and Blood Components (3)
- Local and Topical Ocular Anaesthetic Agents (3)
- Long-Acting Insulins (3)
- Pre-mixed Insulin (3)
- Rapid Acting Insulins (3)
- Anti- anaemia Medicines (2)
- Anti-allergies and Medicines Used in Anaphylaxis (2)
- Anti-asthmatics (2)
- Anti-emetics (2)
- Anti-inflammatory and Anti-pruritic Medicines (2)
- Antihypertensive Medicines (2)
- Local Anaesthetics (2)
- Medicines for Hepatitis-B (2)
- Medicines for Notifiable and Neglected Tropical Diseases (2)
- Medicines used in Depressive disorders (2)
- Medicines Used in Heart Failure (2)
- Other Ocular Preparations (2)
- Scabicides and Pediculicides (2)
- Solutions, Correcting Water Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disturbances (2)
- Thyroid, Parathyroid Hormones and Antagonists (2)
- Vitamins/Minerals (2)
- Access Group Antibiotics (1)
- Androgens (1)
- Ant amoebic and Ant giardiasis Medicines (1)
- Ant parkinsonism Medicines and Anti prolactinoma (1)
- Anti- Platelet Medicines (1)
- Anti-Herpes Medicines (1)
- Anti-infective Agents (1)
- Anti-infective Medicines (1)
- Antifungal Medicines (1)
- Antiulcer Medicines (1)
- Diuretics (1)
- Drugs affecting Intestinal Secretion and Antispasmodics (1)
- Ear Drops (1)
- Lipid Lowering Medicines (1)
- Medicines administered to the Neonates (1)
- Medicines Affecting Coagulation (1)
- Medicines Affecting Skin differentiation and Proliferation (1)
- Medicines Used for Diabetes and Related Disorders (1)
- Nasal Preparations (1)
| Medicine | Level | Category | Listed forms | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetazolamide | D | Miotics and Antiglaucoma | Tablet 250mg | p. 25 |
| Acyclovir | B, D | Anti-Herpes Medicines | Cream 5%; Tablet 200mg, 400mg, Injection 500mg/Vial | p. 10 |
| Alfuzosin | D | Antineoplastics, Immunosuppressives and Immunomodulators | Tablet: 10mg | p. 12 |
| Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E) | D | Vitamins/Minerals | Tablet/capsule: 500 mg/5 mL (alpha tocopherol acetate) | p. 29 |
| Amethocaine | D | Local and Topical Ocular Anaesthetic Agents | Eye drops: 0.5% or 1.0% | p. 25 |
| Betahistine | D | Anti-allergies and Medicines Used in Anaphylaxis | Tablet: 8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg (as dihydrochloride) | p. 5 |
| Betamethasone | D | Adrenal Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes | Injection 4mg/mL | p. 15 |
| Betamethasone | D | Anti-allergy, Artificial Tears and Anti-inflammatory Agents | Eye drops; 0.1% | p. 24 |
| Betaxolol | D | Miotics and Antiglaucoma | Drops 0.25% -0.5% | p. 25 |
| Bilastine | D | Anti-allergies and Medicines Used in Anaphylaxis | Tablet 20 mg | p. 5 |
| Biphasic human insulin regular NPH 30/70 | D | Pre-mixed Insulin | Suspension for injection (vial, cartridge, pre-filled pen) 100 IU/ml | p. 23 |
| Biphasic insulin aspart | D | Pre-mixed Insulin | Suspension for injection (vial, cartridge, pre-filled pen) 100 IU/ml | p. 23 |
| Bismuth subsalicylate | D | Antiulcer Medicines | Chewable tablet/caplet: 262 mg, 525 mg | p. 21 |
| Brimonidine | D | Miotics and Antiglaucoma | Drops 0.15 – 0.2% | p. 25 |
| Bromfenac | D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Eye drops; 0.09% | p. 4 |
| Calcium chloride | D | Injectable Medicines and Other Pre-Medication | Injection: 100 mg/mL (10%) | p. 3 |
| Calcium disodium EDTA (ethylene diamine | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Injection: 200 mg/mL | p. 6 |
| Calcium polystyrene sulfonate | D | Solutions, Correcting Water Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disturbances | Powder/Granules Sachets: 5 g or 15 g sachets for oral or rectal administration | p. 28 |
| Cefepime | D | Watch Group Antibiotics | Injection 1000mg | p. 8 |
| Ceftazidime | D | Watch Group Antibiotics | Powder for injection (as pentahydrate) 250 mg vial | p. 8 |
| Ceftriaxone + Sulbactam | A, D | Watch Group Antibiotics | Injection 1.5 g vial Tablet (as hydrochloride) 250 mg, 500 mg | p. 8 |
| Cefuroxime | D | Watch Group Antibiotics | Powder for injection 250 mg, 750 mg, 1.5 g vial; Oral suspension 125 mg/5 mL, 250 mg/5 mL; Tablet 250 mg, 500 mg | p. 8 |
| Citalopram | D | Medicines used in Depressive disorders | Tablet 20mg | p. 27 |
| Clobetasol propionate | D | Anti-inflammatory and Anti-pruritic Medicines | Cream: 0.05%; 0.1% | p. 21 |
| Clonazepam | D, S | Anticonvulsants and Antiepileptics | Tablet 0.5mg, 2mg Injection: 1mg/ml | p. 6 |
| Clopidogrel | D | Anti- Platelet Medicines | Tablet: 75mg; 300mg | p. 20 |
| Colchicine | D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Tablet: 0.5 mg | p. 5 |
| Cyclopentolate | D | Mydriatics and Anti-vascular Endothelial | Drops 0.5%, 1% w/v | p. 25 |
| Cyclopentolate + phenylephrine | D | Mydriatics and Anti-vascular Endothelial | Eye drops: 1%+2.5% | p. 25 |
| D-penicillamine | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Tablet: 250mg | p. 6 |
| Deferoxamine | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Injection: 500mg (mesylate) in vial | p. 6 |
| Dexamethasone | A, B, D | Adrenal Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes | Tablet 0.5mg; 4mg Injection (as sodium phosphate) 10mg/mL Powder for Solution for Injection/Infusion: 100 mg (as sodium | p. 15 |
| Dexamethasone | D | Anti-allergy, Artificial Tears and Anti-inflammatory Agents | Eye Drops: 0.1% | p. 24 |
| Dexamethasone + Ciprofloxacin | D | Nasal Preparations | Nasal drops: 0.1% + 0.3% | p. 30 |
| Diclofenac + Paracetamol + Chlorzoxazone | D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Tablet: Diclofenac 50mg + Paracetamol 325mg + Chlorzoxazone250mg | p. 4 |
| Digoxin | D | Medicines Used in Heart Failure | Tablet 0.25mg | p. 19 |
| Diltiazem | D | Antihypertensive Medicines | Tablet 60mg | p. 18 |
| Dimercaprol | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Injectable: 50mg/mL in 2mL ampoule | p. 6 |
| Domperidone | D | Anti-emetics | Tablet:10mg; oral suspension 5mg/5ml | p. 22 |
| Dopamine | D, S | Medicines Used in Heart Failure | Injection 250mg Injection 250mg/mL | p. 19 |
| Erythropoietin | D | Anti- anaemia Medicines | Injection: 2000 unit/ml; 4000 units/mL | p. 17 |
| Eszopiclone | D | Medicines used in Depressive disorders | Tablet: 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg | p. 27 |
| Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Injection: 200mg/mL in 5mL | p. 6 |
| Fenofibrate | D | Lipid Lowering Medicines | Capsule 200mg | p. 20 |
| Fexinidazole | D | Medicines for Notifiable and Neglected Tropical Diseases | Tablet: 600mg | p. 30 |
| Finasteride | D | Antineoplastics, Immunosuppressives and Immunomodulators | Tablet: 5mg | p. 13 |
| Fludrocortisone | D | Anti-inflammatory and Anti-pruritic Medicines | Tablets: 0.1 mg (as acetate) | p. 21 |
| Flumazenil | D | Injectable Medicines and Other Pre-Medication | Injection 0.2mg (IV) | p. 3 |
| Flumazenil | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Injection:100mcg/mL in 5mL | p. 6 |
| Fluticasone propionate | D | Anti-asthmatics | Nasal Spray 50mcg | p. 28 |
| Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) | D | Blood and Blood Components | Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) Bags | p. 17 |
| Gabapentin | D | Anticonvulsants and Antiepileptics | Tablet/Capsule 100mg, 300mg, 400mg, | p. 7 |
| Hyaluronidase | D | Other Ocular Preparations | Powder for injection: 1500 I. U | p. 26 |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | D | Diuretics | Tablet 25mg; 12.5mg | p. 19 |
| Hydroxyurea | D | Antineoplastics, Immunosuppressives and Immunomodulators | Capsule: 500mg | p. 14 |
| Insulin Aspart | D | Rapid Acting Insulins | Solution for injection (vial, cartridge, pre-filled pen) 100 IU/ml | p. 23 |
| Insulin degludec | D | Long-Acting Insulins | Solution for injection (vial, cartridge, pre-filled pen) 100 IU/ml, 200 IU/ml | p. 23 |
| Insulin detemir | D | Long-Acting Insulins | Solution for injection (vial, cartridge, pre-filled pen) 100 IU/ml | p. 23 |
| Insulin glargine | D | Long-Acting Insulins | Solution for injection (vial, cartridge, pre-filled pen) 100 IU/ml, 300 IU/ml. | p. 23 |
| Insulin glulisine | D | Rapid Acting Insulins | – | p. 23 |
| Insulin lispro | D | Rapid Acting Insulins | – | p. 23 |
| Insulin lispro protamine + insulin lispro | D | Pre-mixed Insulin | Suspension for injection (vial, cartridge, pre-filled pen) 100 IU/ml (75/25 IU/ml or 50/50 IU/ml) | p. 23 |
| Iron Sucrose | D | Anti- anaemia Medicines | Injection: 20mg/ml | p. 17 |
| Itraconazole | D | Antifungal Medicines | Capsule/tablet: 100 mg, 200 mg Oral liquid: 10 mg/mL Cream: 1% | p. 10 |
| Ketorolac | D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Injection Tromethamine) 30 mg/mL, Tablets 10mg, 20mg, Eye Drops 0.5% | p. 4 |
| Latanoprost | D | Miotics and Antiglaucoma | Drops 0.005% | p. 25 |
| Levodopa + Carbidopa | D | Ant parkinsonism Medicines and Anti prolactinoma | Tablet: 100 mg + 10 mg; 100 mg + 25 mg; 250 mg + 25 mg. | p. 16 |
| Levothyroxine | D | Thyroid, Parathyroid Hormones and Antagonists | Tablet: 0.05g (sodium salt) | p. 16 |
| Lidocaine | B, D | Local Anaesthetics | Gel 2% & 5%; Spray 10%; patches 5% | p. 4 |
| Lidocaine + Beclometasone + Clotrimazole + | D | Ear Drops | Ear drop | p. 29 |
| Low molecular Weight Heparin | D | Medicines Affecting Coagulation | Injection 40mg/ml, 60mg/ml, 80mg/ml, 100mg/mL | p. 17 |
| Malathion | D | Scabicides and Pediculicides | Lotion: 0.5% | p. 21 |
| Mebeverine | D | Drugs affecting Intestinal Secretion and Antispasmodics | Tablet 135mg | p. 22 |
| Meloxicam | D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Tablet 7.5mg; 15mg | p. 4 |
| Methylprednisolone | D | Adrenal Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes | 1000 mg powder and solvent for solution for injection/infusion; Tablet 4mg; 8mg; | p. 15 |
| Methylprednisolone | D | Anti-allergy, Artificial Tears and Anti-inflammatory Agents | Injection 40mg/mL | p. 25 |
| Midazolam | D | Injectable Medicines and Other Pre-Medication | Injection 1mg/mL, 5mg/mL | p. 3 |
| Montelukast | A, D | Anti-asthmatics | Tablet 5mg; 10mg Tablet (as sulfate) 4mg; syrup (as sulfate) 2mg/5mL Nebulizer solution 2.5 mg/2.5 mL, 2.5mg/mL; 5mg/mL (as sulfate) | p. 28 |
| Multivitamin + Carotenoids | D | Vitamins/Minerals | Tablet/capsules containing multivitamin and carotenoids | p. 29 |
| Nitazoxanide | D | Ant amoebic and Ant giardiasis Medicines | Tablet: 500 mg; Suspension: 100 mg/5 mL | p. 11 |
| Ofloxacin | D | Anti-infective Agents | Eye Drops: 0.3% | p. 24 |
| Olopatadine | D | Anti-allergy, Artificial Tears and Anti-inflammatory Agents | Eye drops: 01% | p. 25 |
| Ondansetron | D | Injectable Medicines and Other Pre-Medication | Injection 2mg/mL | p. 3 |
| Ondansetron | D | Anti-emetics | Tablet 8mg, Injection 2mg/mL | p. 22 |
| Paracetamol | A, D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Tablet 500mg; Syrup 125mg/5mL, suppositories 125mg, 250mg 10 mg/mL Solution for Infusion | p. 5 |
| Pentamidine | D | Medicines for Notifiable and Neglected Tropical Diseases | Injection: 300mg vial | p. 30 |
| Permethrin | D | Scabicides and Pediculicides | Cream: 5%. Lotion: 1%. | p. 21 |
| Pilocarpine hydrochloride | D | Miotics and Antiglaucoma | Eye drops: 1%, 2%, 4% Gel: 4% Tablet: 5mg, 10mg | p. 25 |
| Pioglitazone | D | Medicines Used for Diabetes and Related Disorders | Tablet: 15 mg; 30 mg; 45 mg | p. 22 |
| Platelets | D | Blood and Blood Components | Platelets | p. 17 |
| Podophyllin | D | Medicines Affecting Skin differentiation and Proliferation | Solution 10-25% (prepare from raw materials) | p. 21 |
| Povidone iodine | A, D | Anti-infective Medicines | Solution: 10% Eye drops: 1.25%, 2.5%, 5% | p. 20 |
| Prednisolone | D | Anti-allergy, Artificial Tears and Anti-inflammatory Agents | Eye drops 0.5%, 1% | p. 25 |
| Pregabalin | D | Anticonvulsants and Antiepileptics | Tablet/Capsule 75mg, 100mg; 150mg | p. 7 |
| Proparacaine | D | Local and Topical Ocular Anaesthetic Agents | Eye drops: 0.5%, 1% | p. 25 |
| Propofol | D | Injectable Medicines and Other Pre-Medication | Injection 10mg/mL, 20mg/mL | p. 3 |
| Propylthiouracil | D | Thyroid, Parathyroid Hormones and Antagonists | Tablet 50mg | p. 16 |
| Prostamide bimatoprost | D | Miotics and Antiglaucoma | Drops: 0.01, 0.03% | p. 25 |
| Red blood cells. | D | Blood and Blood Components | Packed red blood cells. | p. 17 |
| Ropivacaine | A, D | Local Anaesthetics | Injection 2 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 7.5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL Injection hydrochloride 1%, 2%; | p. 3 |
| S-Amlodipine | D | Antihypertensive Medicines | Tablet 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg | p. 18 |
| Sodium bicarbonate | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Injection: 4.2%; 5%; 7.5%; 8.4% Tablets: 325 mg; 650 mg | p. 6 |
| Sodium bicarbonate | D | Solutions, Correcting Water Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disturbances | Injection: 4.2%; 5%; 7.5%; 8.4% Tablets: 325 mg; 650 mg | p. 28 |
| Sodium hyaluronate | D | Other Ocular Preparations | Injection: 1% | p. 26 |
| Succimer | D | Antidotes (Specific) | Capsule: 100mg (2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid) | p. 6 |
| Sulfasalazine | D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Tablets 500mg | p. 5 |
| Surfactants | D | Medicines administered to the Neonates | Beractant 100mg/4ml, 200mg/8ml Intratracheal suspension Poractant 120/1.5ml, 240mg/3ml Intratracheal suspension | p. 31 |
| Tamsulosin | D | Antineoplastics, Immunosuppressives and Immunomodulators | Tablet 0.4mg | p. 15 |
| Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) | D | Medicines for Hepatitis-B | Tablet: 10mg, 25mg | p. 11 |
| Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) | D | Medicines for Hepatitis-B | Tablet: 300mg | p. 11 |
| Testosterone | D | Androgens | Injection: 30 mg/1.5mL;100mg/mL; 200mg/mL; Cream | p. 16 |
| Tetracaine | D | Local and Topical Ocular Anaesthetic Agents | Eye drops: 5% | p. 25 |
| Timolol | D | Miotics and Antiglaucoma | Drops: 0.25%, 0.5% | p. 25 |
| Tramadol+ Paracetamol | D | Non-opioids and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Medicines (NSAIMs) | Tablet: 37.5 mg + 325 mg; 50 mg + 500 mg | p. 4 |
| Trimethoprim | D | Access Group Antibiotics | Tablet 100 mg, 200 mg | p. 8 |
| Tropicamide | D | Mydriatics and Anti-vascular Endothelial | Drops 1% w/v | p. 25 |
| Tropicamide + Phenylephrine | D | Mydriatics and Anti-vascular Endothelial | Drops 0.8% + 5% | p. 25 |
Who can prescribe level D medicines?
Level D medicines may be prescribed by specialists, medical officers and dental officers (STG/NEMLIT 7th edition, Part I, Table 1).
| Level | Facility | Who may prescribe |
|---|---|---|
| A | Dispensary | Specialist, Medical Officer, Dental Officer, Assistant Medical Officer, Clinical Officer, Assistant Clinical Officer |
| B | Health centre | Specialist, Medical Officer, Dental Officer, Assistant Medical Officer, Clinical Officer |
| C | Council or district hospital | Specialist, Medical Officer, Dental Officer, Assistant Medical Officer |
| D (listed) | Regional referral hospital | Specialist, Medical Officer, Dental Officer |
| S | Zonal, special and national hospitals | Specialist |
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Source: Standard Treatment Guidelines and National Essential Medicines List (STG/NEMLIT), 7th edition, 2026, Ministry of Health, Part I and the NEMLIT tables.
This page supports licensed prescribers and pharmacists. It is not medical advice and does not replace the Standard Treatment Guidelines, the product information or professional judgement. Prices and stock change often: confirm with the pharmacy.