WHO Updates Essential Medicines Lists with New Treatments for Cancer, Diabetes, and Other Conditions

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated editions of its Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), adding new treatments for cancer, diabetes, and other conditions. The revised lists include 20 new medicines for adults and 15 for children, as well as new use indications for seven already-listed products. Cancer medicines such as pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and cemiplimab have been added to the EML, while glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like semaglutide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide have been included for the treatment of type 2 diabetes with associated comorbidities.

Key Takeaways:

• The updated WHO EML and EMLc include 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children, reflecting the most pressing public health needs.
• The Expert Committee reviewed 59 applications, including 31 proposals for the addition of new medicines or medicine classes, and 20 new medicines were added to the EML and 15 to the EMLc.
• Fourteen medicine applications were considered for the removal of medicines from the list, while 16 were assessed to determine whether the existing formulations should be updated or replaced.
• The WHO Expert Committee applied rigorous criteria to recommend cancer therapies that offer the greatest clinical benefit, resulting in the inclusion of only those therapies that prolong life by at least 4-6 months.
• The updated lists include a new class of immunotherapy medicines, called PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, to improve access to cancer treatments.
• The WHO Expert Committee considered several strategies to improve access to and affordability of cancer treatments, including dose optimisation approaches.
• The WHO is working closely with governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to promote access to modern and affordable medicines for all, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• The WHO is monitoring developments and supporting fair pricing strategies to help countries improve access to essential medicines like semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Statistics:

• 20 new medicines were added to the EML and 15 to the EMLc, along with new use indications for seven already-listed products.
• 523 essential medicines are listed for adults and 374 for children.
• Cancer medicines account for about half of all new drug approvals by regulatory agencies, with 7 applications encompassing 25 cancer medicines evaluated.
• Over 800 million people lived with diabetes in 2022, with half going untreated, and over 1 billion people worldwide are affected by obesity, with rates rising especially fast in low- and middle-income countries.
• The WHO Expert Committee reviewed 59 applications, assessing the scientific evidence on each medicine's effectiveness, safety, comparative cost, and overall cost-effectiveness.

Sources:

• World Health Organization (2025). WHO EML and EMLc Update: New Treatments for Cancer, Diabetes, and Other Conditions.
• World Health Organization (2025). Executive Summary of the 25th WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines.
• World Health Organization (2022). Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2022.
• World Health Organization (2020). Cancer Medicine: Priority Medicines for Europe and Australia.