World Health Organization Updates Essential Medicines Lists with New Treatments for Cancer, Diabetes, and Obesity

Strategic Insights -

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 various types of cancer, diabetes with associated comorbidities such as obesity, and other conditions. The revised lists now include a total of 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children, reflecting the most pressing public health needs. Cancer treatments have been a major focus of the WHO EML for the past decade, with cancer medicines accounting for about half of all new drug approvals by regulatory agencies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WHO EML and EMLc include medicines for priority health needs of populations, adopted in over 150 countries, serving as a basis for public sector procurement, supply of medicines, and health insurance reimbursement schemes.
  • The revisions mark the 24th edition of WHO EML and 10th edition of EMLc, with 20 new medicines added to the EML and 15 to the EMLc, along with new use indications for seven already-listed products.
  • Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, claiming nearly 10 million lives each year, and cancer treatments have been a major focus of the WHO EML for the past decade.
  • The Expert Committee applied rigorous criteria to recommend only those therapies that offer the greatest clinical benefit, with few approved cancer medicines included, only those proven to prolong life by at least 4-6 months.
  • Pembrolizumab was added to the EML as a first-line monotherapy for metastatic cervical cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
  • The Committee also considered several expert-recommended strategies aimed at improving access to and affordability of cancer treatments, including dose optimisation approaches and clinical system strategies.
  • Medicines for diabetes and obesity include GLP-1 receptor agonists semaglutide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide, and the GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist tirzepatide, used as glucose-lowering therapy for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with established cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease and obesity.
  • High prices of medicines like semaglutide and tirzepatide are limiting access to these medicines, and the WHO will continue monitoring developments, support fair pricing strategies, and help countries improve access to these life-changing treatments.

Statistics:

  • 20 new medicines were added to the EML and 15 to the EMLc.
  • 523 essential medicines are now included for adults, and 374 for children.
  • Cancer medicines account for about half of all new drug approvals by regulatory agencies.
  • Nearly 10 million lives are claimed by cancer each year.
  • Over 800 million people live with diabetes, with half going untreated.
  • More than 1 billion people worldwide are affected by obesity.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists can help people with type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar control, reducing the risk of heart and kidney complications, supporting weight loss, and even lowering the risk of early death.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML)
  • WHO Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc)