The World Health Organization (WHO) has released an update to its Model List of Essential Medicines and its Model List of Essential Medicines for Children. New treatments for various types of cancer and diabetes have been added. Associated comorbidities such as obesity have been added to the list. Medicines for cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, hemophilia, and blood disorders have also been added.

These Model Lists of Essential Medicines list medicines that meet priority health needs of populations. They are adopted in more than 150 countries and are used for public procurement, medicine supply, health insurance, and reimbursement schemes. These revisions correspond to the ^24th edition of the Model List of Essential Medicines and the 10th edition of the Model List of Essential Medicines for Children.

“The new editions of the Essential Medicines Lists mark an important step towards expanding access to new medicines with proven clinical benefits and the potential for significant global public health impact,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data.

Established in 1977 primarily to promote better access to medicines in developing countries, the WHO Model Lists have become a trusted global tool for decision-making on medicine selection and universal coverage across all health systems.

The WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines reviewed 59 submissions, including 31 proposals for the addition of new medicines or new pharmacological classes. As a result of this review, 20 medicines were added to the Model List of Essential Medicines and 15 medicines to the Model List of Essential Medicines for Children. In addition, indications were expanded for seven products already listed. The updated lists now include 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children, reflecting the most pressing public health needs.

Cancer drugs

Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, claims nearly 10 million lives each year and is responsible for nearly one in three premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases. Cancer treatments have been a primary focus of the Model List of Essential Medicines for the past 10 years. Because cancer medicines now account for about half of all new medicines approved by regulatory agencies, the Expert Committee applies rigorous criteria to recommend only therapies that offer the greatest clinical benefit. Therefore, only approved cancer medicines that have been shown to prolong life by at least 4 to 6 months are included in the lists.

Drugs for diabetes and obesity

Diabetes and obesity are two of the most pressing health problems facing the world today. In 2022, more than 800 million people had diabetes, and half of them were untreated.

Additionally, more than a billion people worldwide are obese, and obesity rates are rising particularly rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. These two conditions are closely linked and can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and kidney failure.