WHO Updates Essential Medicines Lists, Adds New Cancer, Diabetes and Rare Disease Treatments

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated editions of its Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), introducing new therapies for several cancers, type 2 diabetes with obesity or kidney disease, and rare conditions such as cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, and haemophilia.

Following a review of 59 applications, WHO experts recommended 20 new medicines for the adult list and 15 for the children’s list, as well as expanded uses for seven existing drugs. The updated lists now include 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children.

For cancer care, the update highlights PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors – including pembrolizumab – as first-line therapy for metastatic cervical, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancers.

In diabetes and obesity, GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide) and tirzepatide were added to guide treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular or kidney complications, as well as obesity.

WHO urged countries to prioritize high-need patients, promote fair pricing and generic competition, and make these therapies available in primary care settings to improve access and reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases.

Source:

The World Health Organization (WHO)