The World Health Organization (WHO) has added to its List of essential medicines The popular Ozempic (Novo Nordisk Semaglutida), along with three other novels active ingredients against diabetes and obesity: Dreamaglutida (Trulicity from Lilly), the Tirzepatida (Mounjaro of Eli Lilly) and the Liraglutida (Victoza of Novo Nordisk). In addition, the analogous fast action insulin for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes has been included in both adults and children.
At present, these two adult conditions are considered one of the “most urgent challenges“In health matters. More than 800 million people They lived with diabetes In 2022, of which half did not receive treatment. Also, more than 1,000 million people suffer from obesityfigure that is increasing “quickly” in low and medium income countries, with the risk of worsening serious pathologies such as heart disease or renal insufficiency.
The inclusion of these medications is based on scientific evidence, which shows that Glucagon-1 peptide receptor agonists (LPG-1) can help people with type 2 diabetes, especially those who suffer from heart or renal diseases, improve blood glucose control, reduce the risk of heart and kidney complications, favor weight loss and reduce the risk of death.
Do not leave anyone behind
The growing popularity of drugs such as Ozempic It has caused numerous supply problems In recent months, which has resulted in the loss of adhesion to the treatment of some diabetic patients. To this we must add the problem of the “High prices“That, as WHO warns, limit access to them. For this reason, he has asked prioritize to whom they would benefit the most, promote the competition of generic ones to reduce prices and make them available in primary care.
“A large part of direct spending on noncommunicable diseases is destined for medications, including those classified as essential and, in principle, They should be financially accessible to all“said the director of Policies and Standards for Medicines and Health Products of the WHO, Deusddit Mumbangizi.
In that sense, he stressed that achieving a Equitable access Essential medications require a “coherent” response of the health system and backed by a “firm political will“, Multisectoral cooperation and programs focused on people who “don’t leave anyone behind.”
New cancer medications
This new version of the Model List of Essential Medicines (LME) has added 20 new drugs (adding 523 in total), while the Children’s version (LMEC) has included 15 (374 in total), along with new indications for seven previously included products, for various types of cancer, for cystic fibrosis, psoriasis, hemophilia and for hematological disorders.
“The new editions of essential medication lists mark a significant step towards the Expansion of access to new medications With proven clinical benefits and a high impact potential on world public health, “said the general deputy director of WHO health systems and data, Yukiko Nakatani.
Although WHO has recognized that they are included Few cancer medications compared to the amount of drugs that are approved worldwide, the organization explained that it is due to its “rigorous” recommendation criteriaapproving entry into the list of those who prove to prolong life at least four and six months.
Thus, the expert committee has recommended Increase access to PD-1/PD-L1 immune control points inhibitorsa class of immunotherapy medications that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
Pmbrolizumab, marketed as KeytrudaMSD, has been added to the LME as first -line monotherapy for the cervical cancer metastatic, the Metastasic colorectal cancerOy the Non -small metastatic cell lung cancer; For the latter, Atezolizumab is included (Tecentriq de Roche) and Cemiplimab (Libartayo from Sanofi) as therapeutic alternatives.
In the same way, he added Blinatumomab CD-19 positive For adult patients and children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia of lineage B. In addition, you have recommended using sunscreen wide spectrum to prevent skin cancer in people with albinism, both older and minors.
The agency has also considered different strategies for Improve access and affordability of cancer treatmentshighlighting that clinical strategies can be implemented immediately, unlike health systems reforms, which can lead to faster benefits in environments with limited resources.
Other adult medications
In addition to those mentioned, drugs such as Baclofen have been approved, to treat the spasticity in cerebral palsy; VIII coagulation factor (recombinant) or emicizumab, for Hemophilia a; IX coagulation factor (recombinant), for Hemophilia b; cystine, against him Smoking and for the abandonment of tobacco; and the triple combination of Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor, or Ivacaftor, for the Cystic fibrosis.
The document has also included glycerol (cream, 15%-20%) against the Atopic dermatitis; vaccines against hepatitis ehe Ebolahe Mpox and the Syncitial respiratory virus (maternal vaccination); or uskinumab, to treat the Moderate to severe psoriasis.
For the approach to the hypertension Entry in the list of two strategies, the triple combination of periondopril, amlodipine and indapamide (with medications of the same class as therapeutic alternatives); and the triple combination Valsartan, amlodipine and hydrochlorotiazide (with medications of the same class as therapeutic alternatives).
Essential medications for children
Among the new recommended drugs for minors are the triple combination abacavir, dolutegravir and lamivudin against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); Baclofen, for spasticity in cerebral palsy; VIII coagulation factor (recombinant) or emicizumab, for hemophilia TO; or the IX coagulation factor (recombinant), for the Hemophilia b.
The text has also included Vaccines against ebola, malaria and mpox; ustekinumab, for the Moderate to severe psoriasis; or glycerol (cream, 15%-20%), against the Atopic dermatitis.
For the Cystic fibrosisas in adults, the triple combination of Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor, or Ivacaftor has been recommended.
