①The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro hold significant potential in addressing the global obesity crisis, with an estimated 2 billion people expected to be affected by obesity globally by 2030.
②For the first time, WHO has recommended the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity management in adults and urged countries to take measures to ensure the accessibility of these drugs.
On Monday local time, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro hold significant potential in addressing the global obesity crisis, with an estimated 2 billion people expected to be affected by obesity globally by 2030. Given the remarkable efficacy of these drugs in aiding weight loss, this signifies that health systems worldwide are entering a "new chapter" in the treatment of obesity and its associated life-threatening conditions.
This marks the first time WHO has suggested using GLP-1 receptor agonists for adult obesity management, signifying a major shift in this United Nations agency’s approach to obesity treatment.
WHO called on nations to implement measures ensuring that populations requiring GLP-1 receptor agonists can access these medications. It also noted that eligible adults should generally be able to use such drugs, except pregnant women, who should avoid them.
The organization further warned that pharmaceutical companies must reduce the prices of weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic while significantly increasing production; otherwise, millions of patients in low-income countries will be excluded from accessing these treatments.
On the same day, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: “While medication alone cannot resolve this global health crisis, GLP-1 receptor agonists can help millions overcome obesity and mitigate its associated harms.”
In its newly released guidelines, WHO stated: “The significance of GLP-1 therapies extends beyond scientific breakthroughs; it represents an incremental shift in societal perceptions—obesity is gradually being redefined from a ‘lifestyle disease’ to a complex yet preventable and treatable chronic condition, marking the beginning of a new chapter.”
The statement also emphasized: “GLP-1 therapies have emerged as a crucial innovation in addressing the global obesity challenge. The advent of these drugs represents a pivotal turning point in managing obesity and its complications, including associated comorbidities.”
However, current global production capacity remains limited, meaning that drug supplies will only reach approximately 100 million people—or just 10% of the potential beneficiary population of 1 billion. WHO warned that based on the obesity standard of Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30, the number of obese individuals worldwide will double from the current 1 billion to 2 billion, with related economic costs projected to reach $3 trillion by 2030.
The WHO has called on pharmaceutical companies to consider implementing 'tiered pricing,' charging lower prices in low-income countries to ensure broad accessibility amid a surge in global demand.
However, the WHO also emphasized that medication alone cannot reverse the obesity trend, and users should simultaneously improve their diets, increase physical activity, and receive lifestyle guidance.
The WHO acknowledged that a growing body of evidence indicates GLP-1 drugs can reduce the risk of various serious or even fatal events and conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, as well as kidney and arterial diseases.
The WHO noted that ensuring access to GLP-1 drugs for everyone in need requires overcoming three major obstacles simultaneously: production capacity, drug accessibility, and affordability; the readiness of healthcare systems to provide such treatments; and the implementation of universal health coverage.
In September this year, the WHO included GLP-1 drugs in its essential medicines list for diabetes treatment but had not yet incorporated their use for obesity treatment.
Editor/melody