International Medical Guide for Ships, Third Edition

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LAST VERIFIED · 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

Regulation at a glance

Status
International WHO medical reference; not a flag-state law by itself.

Applies to
Medical care at sea and medicine-chest planning where the vessel’s flag-state requirements adopt or refer to the WHO guide.

Medical chest basis
International Medical Guide for Ships, Third Edition (2007), used with the WHO Quantification Addendum (2010).

Regulatory relation
Applicable flag-state law, vessel-specific requirements and current telemedical advice remain controlling.

Official WHO guide ↗WHO Quantification Addendum ↗

Disclaimer: This page is a practical overview and not medical or legal advice. Always check current flag-state rules and voyage-specific requirements.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

01 · APPLICABILITY

Confirm the flag-state route

Use the WHO guide only where the competent Administration adopts, permits or refers to it.

02 · SCALE

Select the correct inventory

Determine vessel category, crew size, voyage duration and access to medical care before applying suggested quantities.

03 · MEDICAL SUPPORT

Combine guidance with TMAS

Use trained personnel, current procedures and telemedical advice for assessment and treatment at sea.

04 · DANGEROUS GOODS

Add current MFAG requirements

Where dangerous goods are carried, check the current IMDG Code Supplement, MFAG and cargo-specific antidote requirements.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  • International Medical Guide for Ships, Third Edition.
  • WHO Quantification Addendum where used for inventory planning.
  • Current flag-state legislation, circulars and approved medicine-chest schedule.
  • Current MFAG/IMDG information where dangerous goods are carried.
  • Vessel-specific inventory, expiry register and replenishment records.
  • Telemedical assistance and emergency contact procedures.

HOW SEAFARMA CAN HELP

Seafarma can confirm the applicable route, translate the guide and flag-state rules into a vessel-specific inventory, supply and replenish medicines and equipment, prepare inspection documentation, and arrange worldwide delivery. We can also coordinate ETA, berth, local agent details and handover instructions.

REQUEST A COMPLIANCE CHECK

Who Uses the Guide?

The guide may be used as an international reference by:
  • flag-state authorities when developing or reviewing national requirements;
  • vessels whose flag-state requirements expressly refer to the WHO guide; and
  • shipowners, masters and medical personnel as supporting guidance, subject to applicable flag-state law.

Where national requirements exist, those requirements remain authoritative.

Quantification Addendum

The WHO Quantification Addendum, published in 2010, proposes medicine quantities by ship category and crew size. It should be used together with the main guide and the vessel’s current flag-state requirements.

Official WHO Guide

The main guide covers the prevention, assessment and treatment of illness and injury at sea and is designed to support medical care on board, including by trained personnel who are not doctors. It should be used with telemedical advice and the applicable national medical guide where required.

Dangerous Goods and MFAG

Ships carrying dangerous goods should also use the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG), the chemicals supplement to the International Medical Guide for Ships. MFAG is reproduced in the IMDG Code Supplement. Check the current IMDG/MFAG edition and all applicable flag-state requirements. View the official IMO information about MFAG.

Related Flag-State Guidance

The pages below concern flag administrations whose requirements use, refer to or expressly allow the WHO guide. National requirements remain authoritative and may modify or supplement the WHO recommendations.

Get in Touch

Seafarma can supply, review and certify ship medical chests against applicable flag-state requirements and international guidance. For advice, a quotation or an order, contact our team and provide the vessel’s flag, vessel type, crew size and voyage profile.

This page provides general information and does not replace instructions from the competent authority or qualified medical professionals.

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