WHO’s Game-Changing Endorsement: Will New Weight-Loss Drugs Transform the Fight Against Obesity?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is poised to officially endorse the use of weight-loss drugs for adults with obesity worldwide, marking a significant shift in its approach to tackling the global obesity epidemic. According to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters, this will be the first time the WHO recommends these medications, such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, which are GLP-1 receptor agonists designed to mimic hormones that regulate appetite and digestion. Clinical trials have shown these drugs can help patients lose 15% to 20% of their body weight, making them a potentially transformative tool in obesity management.

 

However, the WHO has raised serious concerns about the affordability and accessibility of these treatments, especially in low- and middle-income countries where 70% of the world’s one billion obese adults live. The monthly cost of these drugs can exceed $1,000, putting them out of reach for many and raising questions about long-term cost-effectiveness and health equity.

 

The agency is urging for innovative solutions to make these medications more accessible, such as tiered pricing or pooled procurement, and is considering adding them to its essential medicines list to facilitate broader access. The WHO’s updated guidelines are expected to be published in August, with separate recommendations for children and adolescents in development.

 

Source: Reuters, CNBC-TV18, Indian Express