Pune patient groups hail WHO's action

The World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time, added rapid-acting insulin analogues and GLP-1 receptor agonists to its Model List of Essential Medicines (EML).

- Indu Bhagat

The decision, announced on Sep 5, is being hailed as a historic victory for millions of people with diabetes, including thousands in Pune.

In May 2025, Nupur Lalvani, founder of Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, a patient-led group active in Pune and across India, formally appealed at the WHO Expert Committee meeting for the inclusion of these medicines.

Patient advocates now urge the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to act swiftly to ensure the medicines are added to India's National Essential Medicines List (NEML).

They warn against delays, recalling how it took nearly two years after WHO's 2021 decision for glargine prices to fall in India.