Introduction
In September 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest update to the Model Lists of Essential Medicines, adding 20 new treatments across critical health areas such as cancer, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis. This update reaffirms WHO’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to life-saving and life-improving medicines worldwide. Over 150 countries use these lists to guide national formularies and procurement decisions, making the update one of the most influential policy shifts in global health each year.
This article explores why the Model Lists matter, what’s new in the 2025 update, and how these changes could reshape access to medicines for millions.
What Are the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines?
Established in 1977, WHO’s Model Lists identify the most effective, safe, and cost-efficient medicines needed for a functioning health system. There are two lists:
- Essential Medicines List (EML): For adults.
- Essential Medicines List for Children (EMLc): Focused on pediatric formulations.
These lists are revised every two years by an independent expert committee based on scientific evidence and public health needs. Countries adapt the model lists to their contexts, but the WHO’s recommendations serve as a gold standard.
Why the 2025 Update Matters
The September 2025 update arrives at a time when noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer and diabetes are rising globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in global supply chains, highlighting the need for resilient access to medicines.
Key reasons the update is significant:
- Broader scope of diseases: Inclusion of treatments for conditions previously underrepresented.
- Affordability and procurement: Helps countries prioritize limited budgets.
- Equity: Ensures vulnerable populations gain access to breakthrough therapies.
Highlights of the 2025 Additions
Among the 20 new treatments added are:
- Cancer therapies: Several innovative but cost-effective chemotherapeutic and targeted agents for common cancers such as breast, lung, and colorectal cancer.
- Diabetes medications: Next-generation insulin analogs and oral agents improving glycemic control.
- Cystic fibrosis treatments: Breakthrough modulators previously inaccessible to many countries.
- Other conditions: Medicines addressing neglected tropical diseases, maternal health, and emergency care.
By including these treatments, WHO signals their essential role in health systems worldwide.
The Impact on Cancer Care
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Many low-income countries still lack access to basic oncology medicines, let alone new targeted therapies. The inclusion of additional cancer drugs in the 2025 Model Lists:
- Improves affordability through bulk procurement and generic competition.
- Encourages governments to invest in cancer diagnosis and treatment infrastructure.
- Aligns global standards with the latest evidence-based care.
This could reduce disparities in survival rates between high- and low-income countries.
Strengthening Diabetes Management
Diabetes affects more than 500 million people worldwide and is growing rapidly. The 2025 update’s inclusion of new insulin analogs and oral medications could:
- Enable better glycemic control with fewer side effects.
- Make self-management easier, reducing complications such as kidney failure or amputations.
- Lower long-term costs for healthcare systems.
By recognizing these therapies as “essential,” WHO sets a benchmark for national health plans.
Addressing Rare and Neglected Conditions
One of the most notable aspects of the 2025 update is the addition of cystic fibrosis treatments—a rare disease with historically high drug costs and limited access outside wealthy countries. Including these drugs:
- Validates the needs of patients with rare diseases.
- Signals to manufacturers and donors that equitable access is a global priority.
- Encourages development of generics and pooled procurement mechanisms.
Similarly, new medicines for neglected tropical diseases show WHO’s continued focus on underfunded conditions.
How Countries Use the Model Lists
Over 150 countries, including many low- and middle-income nations, use the WHO Model Lists as a foundation for their own essential medicines lists. The benefits include:
- Evidence-based decision-making: Countries rely on WHO’s rigorous reviews.
- Budget prioritization: Helps ministries of health allocate limited resources effectively.
- Negotiating power: Bulk procurement reduces prices.
National adaptation isn’t automatic; governments still assess local disease burdens, supply chains, and costs. However, WHO’s lists provide a powerful starting point.
Challenges in Implementation
Even with WHO’s guidance, several obstacles remain:
- Pricing and affordability: Some newly added medicines are still under patent protection, limiting generic competition.
- Supply chain issues: Ensuring consistent availability in remote or fragile settings can be difficult.
- Healthcare infrastructure: Access to medicines requires trained staff, diagnostics, and follow-up care.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector.
The Road Ahead
WHO’s 2025 update is part of a broader movement to make healthcare more equitable. Looking forward:
- Generic manufacturing capacity will be crucial for affordability.
- Technology transfer and local production can reduce dependency on imports.
- Financing mechanisms such as pooled procurement and differential pricing may expand access.
The Model Lists also interact with other WHO initiatives, such as the Global Chemicals and Health Network and efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Why This Matters for Global Health
The 2025 update demonstrates that essential medicines are not static. As scientific breakthroughs occur, WHO adapts its guidance to ensure health systems worldwide benefit, not just wealthy nations. By emphasizing cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and neglected diseases, the new list reflects a holistic approach to public health needs in the 21st century.
Conclusion
The September 2025 update of the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines represents a significant step toward equitable healthcare. With 20 new treatments added across a spectrum of conditions, the lists continue to guide over 150 countries in procuring affordable, life-saving medicines.
As governments, NGOs, and international partners act on these recommendations, millions stand to benefit from improved access to therapies that can prevent suffering and save lives. This underscores a simple but powerful truth: access to essential medicines is a cornerstone of health equity.
