WHO Essential Medicines List
A list published by the World Health Organization identifying the most important medicines needed in a basic health system. Several peptide drugs appear on this list, including oxytocin (for obstetric use), insulin, and glucagon, reflecting their critical role in global healthcare.
Technical Context
The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML, updated biennially) identifies medicines that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of populations. Selection criteria: public health relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness. The 23rd EML (2023) includes several peptide drugs: insulin (various formulations — on the complementary list), oxytocin (for labour induction/PPH prevention — core list), desmopressin (diabetes insipidus), glucagon (hypoglycaemia emergency), vancomycin (antimicrobial), and various other antimicrobial peptides. Notably absent: GLP-1 RAs (despite strong efficacy evidence, cost-effectiveness at current pricing is insufficient for many healthcare systems). The EML guides national essential medicines lists and procurement decisions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Inclusion on the EML signals global recognition of a medicine's public health importance and can influence pricing negotiations and generic/biosimilar development priorities.