The World Health Organization (WHO) has expanded its Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), introducing a range of new therapies for cancer, diabetes and several rare conditions.
According to the notice released on Friday, the updated lists mark the 24th edition of the EML and the 10th of the EMLc.
They serve as a global reference for more than 150 countries when deciding which drugs to prioritise for public procurement, health coverage and supply schemes.
In the 2025 update, 20 medicines were added to the adult list and 15 to the children’s list, while seven existing drugs received expanded indications.
The EML now features 523 medicines for adults, with 374 included in the EMLc.
Read Also: WHO confirms Nepal’s elimination of measles as public health problem
Cancer treatments remain a major focus area. The WHO Expert Committee endorsed the inclusion of three immune checkpoint inhibitors – pembrolizumab, atezolizumab and cemiplimab – for advanced cervical, colorectal and lung cancers.
The organisation stressed that only drugs with proven survival benefits are recommended, given the high cost of oncology medicines.
For type 2 diabetes in patients with obesity or related complications, the lists now include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists – semaglutide, dulaglutide and liraglutide – along with the dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist tirzepatide.
These medicines not only help regulate blood sugar but also support weight loss and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and kidney problems. However, WHO cautioned that affordability and equitable access remain pressing issues.
Other newly listed therapies address conditions such as cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, psoriasis and certain blood disorders. Officials said the changes are aimed at reducing global gaps in access to essential treatments, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data, described the revisions as “a significant step toward expanding access to new medicines with proven clinical benefits and with high potential for global public health impact.”
The decisions follow the May 2025 meeting of the Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, which reviewed 59 applications and assessed each candidate drug for effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness before making its recommendations.
