Objectives This study analysed whether the Model List of Essential Medicines is suitable for elderly patients. Furthermore, it investigated the specific issues that should be considered when prescribing a drug and which drugs should be added to improve the list according to the explicit criteria guidelines.

Methods A qualitative descriptive review was performed comparing the explicit criteria guidelines of Beers 2019, Laroche, McLeod, NORGEP, PRISCUS, STOPP/START 2014 and Winit-Watjana with the 22nd edition of the Model List of Essential Medicines.

Results The Model List of Essential Medicines has 458 drugs. Depending on the explicit criteria considered, there were different numbers of potentially inappropriate medications and potential prescribing omissions. When all explicit criteria were combined, a total of 73 medicines were classified as potentially inappropriate. Using the STOPP/START criteria, 46 potential prescribing omissions were detected. According to these explicit criteria, the Model List of Essential Medicines appeared to lack some medicines.

Conclusions Explicit criteria guidelines have different potential for detecting potentially inappropriate medications. Our findings suggest that some drugs should be added to the next edition of the Model List of Essential Medicines to cover some therapeutic gaps.