The WHO recommends the use of GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, for obesity, but emphasizes the need for a healthy diet and exercise. Pharmaceutical companies are urged to reduce prices to expand access to these.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of GLP-1-based medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, in the treatment of obesity, emphasizing that they should be combined with a healthy diet, physical exercise, and medical monitoring. WHO has urged pharmaceutical companies to reduce prices and expand production to make these therapies accessible even in low-income countries. Although these medications are already well established in developed countries, WHO warns that global access remains limited, estimating that by 2030, less than 10% of people who could benefit from them will have access.

The new WHO therapeutic guideline includes a conditional recommendation for the use of GLP-1, considering the limited data on long-term efficacy and safety. WHO suggests differentiated pricing and voluntary licenses to allow other manufacturers to produce these medications. The expiration of patents for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, will allow the emergence of generic medications, which could reduce prices. However, logistical challenges and the need to prepare health systems for the distribution of these medications remain significant obstacles.