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WHO Updates Essential Medicines Lists: New Treatments for Cancer, Diabetes & ‍More

Today, the World Health Institution (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 and for diabetes with associated comorbidities such⁣ as obesity. medicines for cystic fibrosis,psoriasis,haemophilia and blood-related disorders are among the other additions.

WHO EML and EMLc include medicines for priority health needs of populations. They are 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 24^th edition of WHO⁤ EML and 10^th edition of⁤ EMLc.

“The new editions of essential medicines lists mark a meaningful step toward expanding access to new medicines with proven‍ clinical benefits and with‍ high potential for global public health impact,” said ‍Dr Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant⁢ Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data.

Launched in 1977 ⁤largely to promote better access to medicines in developing countries,the WHO Model Lists have become a trusted global policy tool for decisions related to ‍the selection and universal ⁢coverage of medicines within all health systems.

The WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and ⁣Use of essential Medicines ⁢reviewed 59 applications, including 31 proposals for the addition of new medicines or medicine classes. As ⁤a result, 20 new medicines were added to the EML and 15 to ⁤the EMLc, along with new use indications for seven already-listed products. The updated lists now include a total of 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for ⁤children, reflecting the most pressing public health needs.

Cancer Medicines

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, claiming nearly 10 million lives each year and responsible for almost one in three premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases. Cancer treatments have been a major focus of the WHO EML for the ⁢past decade. With cancer⁤ medicines accounting today for about half of all new drug approvals by regulatory agencies, the Expert Committee applies rigorous criteria to reccommend only those therapies that offer the greatest clinical benefit. As a result, few approved cancer medicines are included – only those proven to prolong life by at least 4-6 months.

Seven applications encompassing 25 cancer medicines were evaluated. As part of broader efforts to reduce inequities in cancer care, the Committee recommended increasing access to PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, a class of immunotherapy medicines that help the body’s