The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidance on GLP-1 therapies, including liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, providing conditional recommendations for their safe, long-term use as part of obesity treatment. These medicines mimic a natural hormone that regulates appetite, blood sugar, and digestion, helping people with obesity achieve significant weight loss and improve related health outcomes. The guidance emphasizes that medication alone is insufficient and should be combined with healthier diets, increased physical activity, and professional support.
Obesity affects more than one billion people worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths in 2024. WHO warns that without stronger action, the number of people living with obesity could double by 2030, creating immense pressure on health systems and potentially causing global economic losses of $3 trillion annually. Recognizing obesity as a chronic, complex disease influenced by genetics, environment, biology, and social factors, WHO highlights its role in driving heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, while also worsening outcomes for infectious diseases.
GLP-1 therapies were added to WHO’s Essential Medicines List in 2025 for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups. The new guidance now recommends their long-term use for adults with obesity, except during pregnancy. Recommendations are conditional due to limited long-term safety data, uncertainty about weight maintenance after treatment cessation, high costs, and concerns about unequal access globally. WHO stresses that these therapies must be part of a comprehensive care plan and cannot replace broader public health interventions.
WHO warns that demand for GLP-1 medicines far exceeds supply, estimating that fewer than 10% of eligible individuals will have access by 2030. The organization calls on governments to implement policies such as pooled procurement, fair pricing, and voluntary licensing to expand access and prevent health inequalities. Rising circulation of falsified or substandard GLP-1 products is also a concern, emphasizing the need for regulated supply chains, qualified prescriptions, and oversight to ensure patient safety.
The guidance was developed with input from Member States, scientific evidence, expert review, and feedback from people living with obesity. WHO plans to update the recommendations as new evidence emerges and will work with partners in 2026 to prioritize access for those with the most urgent needs.
