Ozempic Is an ‘Essential’ Drug, WHO Says as Agency Calls for Cheaper Generics
One of the world’s most sought-after drugs has officially become a vital medication. The World Health Organization has just added semaglutide—the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—to its list of essential medicines. The WHO’s Model Lists of Essential Medicines is designed to improve affordability and access for the world’s most impactful drugs. Semaglutide and other GLP-1 drugs are among 20 new additions to the list, and it’s clear why. GLP-1s have completely reshaped how clinicians treat