WHO May Back GLP-1s for Obesity—Here’s What That Really Means
- Jennifer Hardy
- May 2
- 3 min read
The World Health Organization (WHO) is getting ready to make a move that could reshape how the world handles obesity. For the first time, it’s expected to recommend GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound for weight management.
That might sound like a minor policy update, but it’s a global signal that obesity is finally being treated as a chronic disease—not just a lifestyle issue. This one could ripple into how we treat, pay for, and even talk about obesity around the world.
Let's dig into why!
More Than Weight Loss: It’s a Mindset Shift
If the WHO follows through, it’ll be the first time it formally endorses a weight-loss drug. It’s also a clear shift from decades of stigma, where obesity was framed as a personal failure instead of a health condition.
These medications, originally designed for type 2 diabetes, are now backed by clinical data showing consistent, significant weight loss—15 to 20% in many patients.
1 Billion People, Zero Access
More than a billion people live with obesity globally, and the vast majority are in low- and middle-income countries. Right now, most can’t afford GLP-1s. In the U.S., Wegovy runs about $1,300 a month. Even with discounts from companies like LillyDirect, you're still looking at $500 a month.
The WHO's endorsement could lead to more public health programs and insurance plans covering these drugs—especially if they land on the Essential Medicines List, which governments use to decide what should be accessible to everyone.
This Isn’t Just a Health Story—It’s a Pharma Story Too
The move also ramps up pressure on drug companies. Governments and global health groups will likely push for price cuts, licensing deals, or even local manufacturing options. This could trigger ripple effects—more funding for new obesity treatments, more research into long-term outcomes, and possibly more affordable options down the road.
What to Expect from the WHO
By late summer 2025, the WHO is expected to release updated guidance that covers:
Who should get GLP-1s: likely adults with a BMI over 30 or 27 with additional health conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
How they fit into treatment: not as a standalone fix, but part of a long-term care model that includes behavioral and dietary changes.
How to expand access: including ideas like tiered pricing or voluntary licensing in lower-income nations.
Also coming: a decision on whether these drugs will be added to the WHO’s Essential Medicines List, which helped drive down costs and increase access to HIV and hepatitis treatments in the past.
What’s Still Standing in the Way
For all the promise GLP-1s hold, cost remains the elephant in the room. Even if prices were cut in half, they’d still be out of reach for most healthcare systems around the world. Treating even a small percentage of eligible patients would quickly add up to billions.
The WHO is pushing for more data on long-term cost-effectiveness, but unless generics hit the market or major pricing deals are struck, global access will stay limited.
Then there’s the patent wall. Drugmakers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have so far prioritized high-income countries, because that’s where the profits are. The WHO’s endorsement might spark new pressure to rethink licensing models or open the door to local manufacturing in lower-income nations. But historically, these equity conversations take time, legal wrangling, and a lot of political will.
And let’s not ignore the long game. While these drugs show impressive short-term results, they’re still relatively new as long-term obesity treatments. What happens if someone stops taking them? Are the side effects manageable over decades?
The WHO has been skeptical before—it rejected liraglutide for weight loss in 2023 due to shaky evidence on lasting impact. This time, the agency appears more confident. But the science still needs to catch up.
What This Means for Patients
If the WHO gives its approval, it could trigger insurance coverage changes, especially in countries with public healthcare. Private insurers may follow.
Obesity could start getting treated more like any other chronic condition—less judgment, more actual support. And more competition in the GLP-1 space (especially if orals enter the market) could mean more affordable options and less reliance on injections.
Big Picture Takeaway of WHO GLP-1 Nod
This isn't just about green-lighting new drugs. It's about changing how the world sees—and treats—obesity. If the WHO moves forward, it could mark a turning point: from blaming people for their weight to building systems that help manage it.
But access, affordability, and long-term care models still need serious work. The conversation is shifting—but the fight’s far from over.
Comments