The World Health Organization has released its inaugural advice on employing GLP-1 treatments for obesity, conditionally suggesting them as part of extended care for the disorder, which impacts over one billion individuals globally. The guidance arrives as the demand for GLP-1 agonist medications has surged globally, prompting governments to strategize on integrating these popular treatments into public health systems.
The primary conditional recommendation endorses the use of GLP-1 medications by adults, excluding pregnant women, for prolonged obesity management, while the secondary recommendation proposes incorporating interventions like a nutritious diet and physical activity alongside the drugs. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the new guidance acknowledges obesity as a chronic ailment treatable with comprehensive and lifelong attention.
While emphasizing that medication alone cannot resolve the global obesity crisis, Tedros highlighted the potential of GLP-1 therapy to aid millions in overcoming this condition and mitigating its associated risks. The organization cautioned that the economic impact of obesity is escalating, with the annual global cost expected to hit $3 trillion US by 2030.
Dr. Marie Spreckley from the University of Cambridge characterized the recommendations as appropriately graded as conditional, citing uncertainties regarding long-term usage at higher doses, cost-effectiveness, and health system capacity. This recent development follows WHO’s decision in September to include semaglutide and tirzepatide, active ingredients 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 is applicable to adults with a body mass index of 30 or above, with recommendations encompassing three agents – semaglutide, tirzepatide, and an older drug from the same category named liraglutide. WHO stressed that access to GLP-1 therapies remains a significant hurdle, projecting that by 2030, these medications may only reach less than 10% of those who could benefit.
Tedros highlighted equitable access as a primary concern, warning that without concerted efforts, these treatments might exacerbate disparities between affluent and underprivileged populations, both domestically and internationally. WHO officials underscored the importance of expanding production, enhancing affordability, and establishing procurement mechanisms, such as pooled purchasing, akin to successful strategies in extensive health initiatives like HIV programs, to ensure fair access to GLP-1 therapies.
In 2026, WHO intends to collaborate with governments and stakeholders to prioritize access for individuals at the highest health risk.
