The seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) convened in Geneva has produced a series of significant global health advances, setting new standards and strategies to tackle pressing medical and public health challenges. From equitable access to controlled medicines to landmark resolutions on lung, kidney, sensory health, and nutrition, this assembly reaffirms global commitment to improving health outcomes worldwide. The updates reflect WHO’s leadership collaborating closely with pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, GSK, Sanofi, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, and Roche to push forward health equity, innovation, and policy transformation.
WHO’s New Guideline on Controlled Medicines: Ensuring Safe, Equitable Access Worldwide
A major highlight of WHA78 is the unveiling of a rapid communication and forthcoming detailed guideline focused on balanced national policies for controlled medicines. These medicines—including opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines, and ketamine—play an indispensable role in managing acute and chronic pain, mental health disorders, and substance addictions.
- Global inequity in access: More than 80% of morphine distribution in 2021 occurred in high-income countries, leaving millions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) without adequate pain relief.
- Guideline objectives: Promote safe medical use while mitigating risks of non-medical consumption and dependence.
- Policy recommendations: Accurate quantification of medicines, elimination of unethical marketing, secure procurement and supply chains, facilitation of local production, and enhanced healthcare professional training.
| Key Guideline Components | Intended Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Quantification based on consumption and needs | Reduced shortages and wastage, timely availability |
| Prohibition of misleading marketing | Increased patient safety and ethical prescribing |
| Strengthening supply chains with advanced tools | Improved traceability and equitable distribution |
| Support for local manufacturing | Reduced dependence on imports, sustainable supply |
| Training and education campaigns | Rational use and increased awareness |
These rigorous efforts aim to bridge critical gaps in controlled medicines availability while safeguarding communities. This innovative approach will be detailed fully in the official WHO guideline to be published online in June 2025.
Landmark Resolutions Enhance Global Health Priorities at WHA 78
The Assembly adopted several groundbreaking resolutions addressing lung, kidney, sensory impairments, nutrition, social connection, digital health, and more. These declarations chart practical steps toward reducing disease burdens and integrating health services universally.
- Respiratory health: A historic lung health resolution targeting asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and air pollution, demanding policy investments in prevention, diagnosis, and clean air implementation.
- Kidney disease: The first-ever WHA resolution urging comprehensive national kidney disease programs, emphasizing prevention, early detection, and integration into primary healthcare.
- Sensory impairments: Commitment to scale up prevention and care for vision and hearing loss affecting billions worldwide, highlighting technology-driven interventions and social inclusion.
- Nutrition: Renewed focus on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition goals, expanding indicators for diverse diets and breastfeeding while extending targets to 2030.
- Social connection: Recognition of social connection as a public health determinant, launching the “Knot Alone” campaign to promote mental and physical well-being through enhanced social bonds.
| Resolution Topic | Main Objectives | Target Population |
|---|---|---|
| Lung Health | Reduction of risk factors, improved care access, pollution mitigation | Global, with focus on high-risk groups |
| Kidney Health | National integration, prevention, early detection, treatment access | All ages, especially vulnerable populations |
| Eye and Hearing Care | Prevention, assistive technologies, social inclusion | 2.2 billion with vision impairment; 1.5 billion with hearing impairment |
| Nutrition | Diversification of diets, breastfeeding, malnutrition reduction | Mothers, infants, young children |
| Social Connection | Awareness, policy development, mental and physical health enhancement | All ages |
These resolutions underline robust global community efforts to confront complex health issues holistically and inclusively.
Extended Action Plans and Global Strategies Strengthen Health Systems and Innovation
The World Health Assembly endorsed the extension of critical global strategies underpinning disease control, healthcare workforce development, digital health transformation, and dementia response to better align timelines and ramp up impact.
- Dementia action plan: Extended to 2031 aligning with neurological health strategies; aims to accelerate care improvements amid growing dementia prevalence.
- Nutrition targets: Deadline extended to 2030 with updated goals focusing on stunting, anemia, low birth weight, and exclusive breastfeeding improvement.
- Digital health strategy: Prolonged to 2027 and a new strategy up to 2033 initiated to support equitable, resilient health system transformations, featuring AI ethics guidance and global collaborations.
- Nursing and midwifery: Strategic directions extended to 2030 to combat workforce deficits impacting universal health coverage efforts.
- Polio eradication: Continued commitment with extended strategy through 2029 emphasizing sustainable health systems and vaccine confidence.
| Global Strategy | Extended Timeline | Core Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Dementia Action Plan | 2025–2031 | Care integration, prevention, national response scale-up |
| Nutrition Goals | 2030 | Malnutrition reduction, breastfeeding promotion, diet diversification |
| Digital Health Strategy | 2020–2027 (extended) | AI ethics, digital infrastructure, equitable access |
| Nursing and Midwifery Directions | Extended to 2030 | Address workforce shortages, training, universal health coverage |
| Polio Eradication Strategy | Extended to 2029 | Vaccine outreach, surveillance, strong health systems |
These extended plans foster a synchronized global health response, leveraging partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies to innovate and deliver effective treatments and vaccines worldwide.
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WHO Collaborates with Major Pharma Players to Expand Global Health Impact
The collaboration between WHO and pharmaceutical leaders such as Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, GSK, Sanofi, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, and Roche is instrumental in delivering vaccines, medicines, and innovative therapies. These partnerships span developments from COVID-19 vaccination campaigns to novel treatments for chronic and infectious diseases, underpinning many resolutions and strategies discussed at WHA78.
- Vaccine development and distribution: Ongoing support for equitable access to vaccines, including new modalities to address emerging health threats.
- Pharmaceutical innovation: Joint research projects promoting cutting-edge therapies addressing noncommunicable diseases, respiratory illnesses, and cancer.
- Supply chain improvements: Collaborative efforts to ensure reliable global delivery chains validated through WHO guidelines.
| Pharma Partner | Contributions to Global Health | Areas of Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer | COVID-19 vaccine production & access programs | Infectious diseases, immunization |
| Moderna | mRNA vaccine technology and digital health integration | Vaccine innovation, digital health |
| Johnson & Johnson | Multivalent vaccines and treatment development | Vaccines, therapeutics |
| AstraZeneca | Noncommunicable disease therapeutics and clinical trials | Chronic diseases, oncology |
| GSK | Respiratory health vaccines and treatments | Respiratory diseases, vaccines |
| Sanofi | Vaccines and global health access programs | Immunization, infectious diseases |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | Oncology treatments and immunotherapy research | Cancer, immunotherapy |
| Novartis | Neurological disorder therapies and public health initiatives | Neurology, chronic conditions |
| Roche | Diagnostic technologies and personalized medicine | Diagnostics, oncology |
This dynamic synergy is paving the way toward a healthier world by aligning scientific innovation with policy and health system strengthening.
Frequently Asked Questions About WHA 78 Key Outcomes
- What is the significance of the new WHO guideline on controlled medicines? It offers a globally balanced policy framework ensuring access to essential controlled medicines while reducing misuse risks.
- How does the lung health resolution contribute to public health? By targeting risk factors like air pollution and tobacco, it strengthens prevention and care for respiratory diseases, reducing premature deaths.
- Why was the dementia action plan extended? To offer countries more time and aligned strategies to tackle the increasing global dementia burden and invest in care systems.
- What role do pharmaceutical companies play in WHA resolutions? They provide research, vaccines, treatments, and supply support critical for implementing global health policies and innovations.
- How does the social connection resolution impact health? Recognizing social connection as a determinant of health, it encourages policies to combat isolation, promote mental well-being, and strengthen societal health outcomes.