Oxaliplatin was patented in 1976 and approved for medical use in 1996.[4] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.[5] The wholesale cost in the developing world is 8.74 to 125.43 USD a vial.[6] In the United Kingdom it costs the NHS 299.50 pounds per 100 mg dose.[7]