What's Happening?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), incorporating new treatments for cancer, diabetes, and associated comorbidities such as obesity. The revisions, marking the 24th edition of the EML and the 10th edition of the EMLc, include medicines for cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, haemophilia, and blood-related disorders. The WHO Expert Committee reviewed 59 applications, resulting in the addition of 20 new medicines to the EML and 15 to the EMLc, along with new use indications for seven existing products. The updated lists now feature 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children, addressing pressing public health needs.
Why It's Important?
The inclusion of new cancer and diabetes treatments in the WHO's essential medicines list is significant for global health, particularly in resource-limited settings. Cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide, requires effective treatments to reduce mortality rates. The addition of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, aims to improve access to life-prolonging therapies. Similarly, the inclusion of GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes and obesity addresses urgent health challenges, offering benefits like improved blood sugar control and reduced cardiovascular risks. These updates can enhance healthcare systems' ability to provide equitable access to essential medicines, potentially improving health outcomes globally.
What's Next?
The WHO will continue to monitor developments and support fair pricing strategies to improve access to these treatments. Encouraging generic competition and prioritizing patients who would benefit most are key strategies to expand access. The WHO emphasizes the need for a coherent health system response backed by strong political will and multisectoral cooperation to achieve equitable access to essential medicines. Countries are guided on which patients can benefit most from these therapies, with a focus on making treatments available in primary care, especially in underserved areas.
Beyond the Headlines
The WHO's update highlights the ethical and economic dimensions of access to essential medicines. High prices of new treatments like semaglutide and tirzepatide pose challenges to equitable access, necessitating strategies to reduce costs and improve affordability. The update underscores the importance of health system reforms and clinical strategies to deliver faster benefits, particularly in resource-limited settings. The WHO's efforts to expand access to essential medicines reflect a commitment to addressing global health inequities and improving public health outcomes.
