The World Health Organization (WHO) faced the increased incidence of obesity, which led to the publication of the first official guidelines related to the use of therapies based on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) for the treatment of obesity, recognizing it as a long-term, chronic disease prone to recurrence.
Obesity is a universal health problem present in all regions of the world, and in 2024, it was associated with about 3.7 million deaths. The results of scientific studies indicate that, without the implementation of decisive and systematic interventions, the prevalence of obesity could double by 2030, further burdening health systems around the world.
By September 2025, the WHO included GLP-1 drugs on the List of Essential Medicines for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in high-risk patients. The latest guidelines expand this perspective, making conditional recommendations for the use of GLP-1 therapies as part of a strategy in the care of people living with obesity.
It is emphasized that pharmacological therapy is not an independent solution but should be integrated into a comprehensive therapeutic approach that includes diet modification, regular physical activity, and continuous professional support, with the aim of long-term improvement in patients’ health and quality of life.
Obesity is one of the most significant health problems at the global level, which is why the World Health Organization continuously invests efforts in providing support to individuals in its suppression. Representatives of the organization emphasize the effectiveness, availability, and fairness of therapeutic approaches.
The latest WHO guidelines clearly position obesity as a chronic disease that requires a long-term, comprehensive and continuous approach to treatment, said WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He further emphasized that, although pharmacological therapy cannot be the only solution to significantly reduce the prevalence of obesity and, in addition, to alleviate its health consequences in many patients.
From a medical point of view, obesity is defined as a multifactorial, chronic disease that plays a central role in the development of numerous diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the presence of obesity negatively affects the course and outcome of infectious diseases, increasing the risk of complications and mortality.
The impact of overweight goes beyond the healthcare system and has significant economic implications, with global costs associated with the condition estimated to reach approximately US$3 trillion annually by 2030. New WHO guidelines can play an essential role in rationalizing health spending by improving prevention and early treatment and reducing long-term complications associated with obesity.
Landmark Policy Change
The latest guidelines issued by the World Health Organization define two central, recommended approaches to the application of GLP-1 therapy for the treatment of obesity. The first recommendation envisages that GLP-1 therapy can be considered in adults as a long-term therapeutic option in treating obesity, whereby pregnant women are exempt from this indication.
Although there is clear evidence of their effectiveness in reducing body weight and improving metabolic and other clinical parameters, the recommendation remains conditional due to the lack of robust long-term data on the safety and sustainability of the therapeutic effect. Additional limitations include uncertainties regarding outcomes after treatment discontinuation, high treatment costs, limited readiness of the health system for widespread implementation, and possible negative consequences for equitable access to health care.
The second recommendation refers to the adoption of intensive behavioral strategies in adult patients with obesity receiving GLP-1 therapy. These strategies include programs to modify diet and increase physical activity, aiming to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Although this recommendation is based on limited evidence, available results suggest that a combination of pharmacological and behavioral approaches may lead to better, longer-lasting treatment outcomes.
Medication Alone Won’t Reverse the Obesity Challenge
Although GLP-1 therapies represent a significant step forward in the treatment of obesity in adults, the World Health Organization guidelines emphasize that pharmacotherapy alone cannot address the complexity of this condition. Obesity goes beyond the scope of individual responsibility and represents a systemic challenge that requires an integrated response from different social sectors.
Effective suppression of obesity requires a fundamental transformation of existing public health approaches through the implementation of a comprehensive strategy based on three interrelated pillars:
- Improving living and working environments through strong population-level policies that create conditions for healthy choices and prevent obesity.
- Early identification and protection of vulnerable groups through systematic screening and targeted, structured interventions to prevent the development of overweight and associated diseases.
- Provision of permanent, accessible, and personalized health care, which is focused on the needs of the individual and follows him throughout the entire life cycle.
Implementation Considerations
The organization’s guidelines emphasize the critical importance of fair and equal access to GLP-1 therapies and the need to prepare healthcare systems for their use. Without strategic and thoughtful policies, the spread of these therapies may exacerbate existing health care inequities. WHO calls for the urgent mobilization of resources to improve production, accessibility, and system readiness to meet global needs.
Estimates indicate that, even with accelerated production, fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 therapies by 2030 are likely to receive them. The guidelines call on the international community to consider strategic approaches to expand access, including:
- Joint procurement of drugs (pooled procurement),
- Pricing models adapted to different markets (tiered pricing),
- Voluntary licenses for production (voluntary licensing),
- And other innovative mechanisms that can enable the distribution of GLP-1 therapies worldwide.
WHO Action
The World Health Organization guidelines were developed in response to initiatives by Member States seeking practical solutions to the challenges associated with obesity. The process of their development included a comprehensive analysis of the available evidence and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including people with personal experience. These guidelines are a crucial element of WHO’s plan to accelerate action against this condition and will be periodically reviewed and updated as new scientific evidence becomes available.
In 2026, WHO will actively collaborate with partners to establish a transparent and fair prioritization methodology, aiming to make therapies available first to those with the greatest need, thereby maximizing the health and social impact of interventions.
Notes to Editors
About GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity
According to the WHO, adult obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. GLP-1 receptor agonists are a pharmacological group of drugs that not only help lower blood glucose levels but also promote weight loss, reduce the risk of cardiovascular and renal complications, and, in people with Type 2 Diabetes, can help reduce the rate of premature death and complications. These guidelines focus on three drugs used in the long-term treatment of obesity in adults: Liraglutide, Semaglutide, and Tirzapatide.
Falsified and Substandard Medical Products
The growing global demand for GLP-1 therapies has led to the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard products, which threaten patient safety and trust in the healthcare system. Ensuring safe administration requires strictly regulated distribution, prescribing by qualified healthcare professionals, continuous monitoring, patient education, and international cooperation to protect public health and preserve the integrity of therapies.
