The World Health Organization has released its initial recommendation on the usage of GLP-1 therapies for obesity, advising their consideration as part of prolonged treatment for the condition impacting over one billion individuals globally. The surge in demand for GLP-1 agonists has led to governments exploring ways to incorporate these highly sought-after treatments into public health systems.
The first recommendation endorses the use of GLP-1 drugs for long-term obesity treatment in adults, with the exception of pregnant women, while the second recommendation proposes combining interventions like a balanced diet and physical activity with the medications. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that this new guidance acknowledges obesity as a chronic ailment that can be managed through comprehensive and lifelong care.
Although medication alone cannot address the global obesity crisis, the utilization of GLP-1 drugs could assist millions in overcoming this condition and mitigating its associated risks. The WHO cautioned that the economic impact of obesity is escalating rapidly, with the projected annual global cost expected to reach $3 trillion by 2030.
Dr. Marie Spreckley from the University of Cambridge remarked that the recommendations were appropriately categorized as conditional due to uncertainties surrounding prolonged use at higher doses, affordability, and health system capabilities. This recent development builds upon the WHO’s earlier decision to include semaglutide and tirzepatide, active components in Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, in its essential medicines list for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk populations.
The updated guideline targets adults with a body mass index of 30 or above, recommending three agents – semaglutide, tirzepatide, and an older drug from the same class named liraglutide. WHO underscored that access remains a significant obstacle, projecting that even with expanded production, GLP-1 therapies are anticipated to reach less than 10% of the eligible population by 2030.
Emphasizing the imperative of equitable access, Tedros stressed the necessity for concerted efforts to prevent these medications from exacerbating disparities between affluent and impoverished populations, both globally and domestically. WHO officials underscored the importance of boosting production, enhancing affordability, and establishing procurement mechanisms, such as pooled purchasing, similar to successful models in extensive health initiatives like HIV programs, to ensure fair access to GLP-1 treatments.
In 2026, WHO plans to collaborate with governments and stakeholders to prioritize access for individuals at the highest health risk.