The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its list of essential medicines to include several key diabetes drugs, aiming to increase their availability worldwide. This list, which guides health systems on which medications they should prioritize, now features the active ingredients found in popular treatments like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). By adding these drugs, particularly for patients with type 2 diabetes who also suffer from cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease, or obesity, the WHO hopes to improve global access to these crucial medications. This move echoes past efforts, such as the inclusion of HIV treatments, which helped ensure availability in low-income countries.

Despite this important step, the WHO has raised significant concerns about the high cost of these drugs, which could hinder access for many patients. In the United States, a one-month supply of these medications can range from approximately $997 to $1,349. Other similar drugs, such as Lilly's Trulicity and Novo Nordisk's Saxenda, are also on the list but offer only minimal price reductions. This high price point, even for competing treatments, poses a major barrier, especially for health systems in developing nations.

To address the affordability issue, the WHO is actively encouraging two key strategies. First, it is calling for the integration of these drugs into primary care systems globally to streamline their distribution and use. Second, and perhaps most crucially, the organization is pushing for the development of more affordable generic versions. By promoting generic alternatives, the WHO hopes to introduce competition that will drive down costs and make these life-saving treatments accessible to all patients, regardless of their economic circumstances.