US EditionPatient Groups Cheer as the WHO Adds Diabetes and Cystic Fibrosis Drugs to Its Essential Medicines List
The World Health Organization included GLP-1 diabetes drugs on its essential medicines list to improve access worldwide, noting over 800 million people had diabetes in 2022, WHO said.
- On September 5, 2025, the World Health Organization updated its essential medicines lists to include semaglutide, tirzepatide, rapid-acting insulin analogues, as well as new therapies targeting cancer and cystic fibrosis.
- This update follows concerns about high prices and limited access to these drugs, especially for diabetes and obesity affecting over a billion people worldwide.
- The latest list includes active ingredients in Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro to treat type 2 diabetes alongside cardiovascular, kidney disease, or obesity conditions.
- Dr Lorenzo Moja said inclusion acts as a 'potential catalyst for access,' while the WHO encourages generic production as patents expire next year to improve affordability.
- This addition aims to expand global access to effective medicines, building on past successes like HIV treatments, and could improve care in over 150 countries that use WHO's list.
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The World Health Organization is calling this Friday for the production of generic versions of Novo Nordisk's and d'Eli Lilly's treatments, which have also produced significant results in the fight against obesity.
·Paris, France
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Left
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
71% Left
L 71%
14%
14%
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