WHO supports the use of GLP-1 therapies for obesity, but cautions that access will still be restricted

The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled its inaugural guideline on Monday for using GLP-1 therapies to address obesity, conditionally recommending these medications as part of long-term management for the condition, which affects over 1 billion people worldwide, according to the organization.

The announcement comes amid a global surge in demand for GLP-1 agonists, prompting governments to evaluate how to integrate these high-demand treatments into public healthcare systems. The guideline provides a conditional recommendation for adults, excluding pregnant women, to use GLP-1 drugs as a long-term obesity treatment. Additionally, it emphasizes that lifestyle measures such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity should accompany medication.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the guidance "acknowledges obesity as a chronic disease that requires comprehensive, lifelong care." He noted that while medication alone cannot resolve the global obesity crisis, GLP-1 therapies have the potential to help millions of people manage the condition and reduce its health consequences.

Earlier this year, Reuters reported that WHO was likely to issue such guidance. This announcement follows the agency's September decision to include semaglutide and tirzepatidekey components of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Mounjaroon its essential medicines list for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk populations.

The WHO also highlighted the rising economic burden of obesity, estimating that global costs could reach $3 trillion annually by 2030. Despite production increases, access remains limited, with GLP-1 therapies projected to reach fewer than 10% of eligible patients by 2030.

The guideline targets adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher and includes recommendations for three medications: semaglutide, tirzepatide, and the older GLP-1 drug liraglutide. WHO plans to collaborate with governments and stakeholders in 2026 to prioritize access for those at highest health risk.

Author: Sophia Brooks