WHO updates list of essential medicines to include key cancer, diabetes treatments – PAHO/WHO
September 8, 2025 (PAHO) – Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published updated editions of its lists of essential medication models (EML) and essential medicines for children (EMLC), adding new treatments for various types of cancer and for diabetes with associated comorbilities such as obesity. Medications for cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, hemophilia and blood -related disorders are among the other additions.
WHO and EMLC include medications for priority health needs in populations. They are adopted in more than 150 countries, serving as the basis for the acquisition of the public sector, supply of health and health insurance, reimbursement schemes. The reviews mark the 24th WHO EML and 10 Editionth EMLC edition.
«The new editions of essential medicines lists mark a significant step to expand access to new medications with proven clinical benefits and with high potential for the world impact on public health,» said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, deputy general director of health systems, access and data.
Danked in 1977 in large part to promote better access to medicines in developing countries, WHO models lists have become a reliable global policy tool for decisions related to the universal selection and coverage of medicines within all health systems.
The WHO 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 medications to EML and 15 to the EMLC were added, together with new indications of use for seven products already listed. Updated lists now include a total of 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children, reflecting the most pressing public health needs.
Cancer medications
Cancer is the second main cause of death worldwide, claiming almost 10 million lives every year and responsible for almost one in three premature deaths from non -communicable diseases. Cancer treatments have been an important focus of WHO during the last decade. With the accounting of cancer medicines today for approximately half of all the new approvals of medicines by the regulatory agencies, the expert committee applies rigorous criteria to recommend only those therapies that offer the greatest clinical benefit. As a result, few approved cancer medications are included, only those proven that prolong life in at least 4-6 months.
Seven applications were evaluated that cover 25 cancer medications. As part of the broadest efforts to reduce inequalities in cancer attention, the Committee recommended increasing access to immune control point inhibitors PD-1/PD-L1, a class of immunotherapy medications that help the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Pmbrolizumab was added to EML as a first -line monotherapy for metastatic cervical cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer and lung cancer of non -small metastatic cells. For the latter, Atezolizumab and Cemiplimab are included as therapeutic alternatives.
The committee also considered several strategies recommended by experts, highlighted in the Cancer expert report – Aimed at improving access and affordability of cancer treatments. He supported clinical and health -based health strategies, including dose optimization approaches, to improve access. The Committee emphasized that, although health system reforms require time and action of the government, clinical strategies can be immediately implemented to offer faster benefits, especially in limited resources environments.
Diabetes and Obesity Medicines
Diabetes and obesity are two of the most urgent health challenges facing today’s world. More than 800 million people lived with diabetes in 2022, with half without treating. At the same time, more than one billion people worldwide are affected by obesity, and rates are increasing especially rapid in low and medium -sized countries. These two conditions are closely linked and can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and renal failure.
The WHO Committee reviewed strong scientific evidence that shows that a group of medications called agonists of the Glucagon-type peptide receptor (LPG-1) can help people with type 2 diabetes, especially those who also have heart or renal diseases by improving blood sugar control, reducing the risk of cardiac and renal complications, supporting weight loss and even reducing the risk of early death.
GLP-1 receiver agonists (Semagglutida, Dreamaglutida and Liraglutida) and the double dual polypeptide (tirzepate) agonist agonist dependent on glucose/glucose (tirzepatido) to the EML. They are used as adult glucose reduction therapy with type 2 diabetes mellitus with established cardiovascular disease or chronic renal disease and obesity (defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2). This provides a clear guide to countries in which patients can benefit more from these therapies.
High prices of medications such as semaglutida and tirzepatido are limiting access to these medications. Prioritize those who would benefit more, encourage generic competition to reduce prices and make these treatments available in primary care, especially in unattended areas, are key to expanding access and improve health results. WHO will continue to monitor developments, support fair price strategies and help countries improve access to these treatments that change life.
«A large part of the pocket expense in non -communicable diseases is destined for medicines, including those classified as essential and, in principle, they must be financially accessible to all,» said Deusded Mumbangizi, director of policies and standards of medicines and health products. «Achieving equitable access to essential medicines requires a coherent response of the health system backed by a strong political will, multisectoral cooperation and programs focused on people who do not leave anyone behind.»
More details of the recommendations of the expert committee, which describe the additions, changes and elimination of medicines and formulations, and the decisions not to recommend medicines are available in the Executive Summary here.
Note for editors
The meeting of the 25th WHO expert committee on the selection and use of essential medicines was held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 5 to 9, 2025. The expert committee considered a total of 59 applications, evaluating scientific evidence on the effectiveness, security, comparative cost and general effectiveness of each medicine to inform its recommendations. The Committee also considered proposals related to the definitions and update of the ADAT classification (Access, Watch, Reserve) of antibiotics.
The models lists are updated every two years by an expert committee, composed of recognized specialists from the academy, research and medical and pharmaceutical professions, to address new health challenges, prioritize highly effective therapy and improve affordable access.
