WHO essential medicines list now includes cancer and diabetes drugs, adding 20 new medicines for adults and 15 for children.
• WHO adds 20 adult and 15 child medicines on October 2023.
• New drugs include cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis treatments.
• Expands access to proven therapies, addressing global health needs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) updates its essential medicines list, adding new drugs for cancer and diabetes. On October 2023, WHO’s Expert Committee selected 20 new medicines for adults and 15 for children. These additions aim to broaden access to treatments with proven clinical benefits. The updated list now includes drugs for various cancers, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, and haemophilia. Source.
Why it matters
The inclusion of these medicines addresses significant global health challenges. Cancer drugs like Merck & Co’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Roche’s Tecentriq (atezolizumab) are now part of the list. These drugs extend survival by four to six months. Additionally, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes, such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide), are included. This update supports universal coverage and equitable access to essential treatments.
What’s next
The WHO’s revisions will guide global policy decisions on medicine selection. The Medicines Patent Pool plans to expand access to these therapies. They focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancers and GLP-1 therapies for diabetes. This alignment with the updated list ensures broader availability of critical treatments. For more insights, visit our Market Access section.