The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for the treatment of obesity, despite calling for strategies to expand the drugs’ access to avoid inequity.
In new guidelines, the WHO has recommended that GLP-1RAs should be used as part of a comprehensive approach to treat patients with obesity. The medication should be used alongside healthy diets, regular physical activity and support from health professionals.
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The health agency was keen to highlight that this recommendation remains conditional on factors such as long-term efficacy, costs, and equity implications.
The WHO has already added GLP-1RA therapies to its essential medicines list for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups, according to a September 2025 update. The weight loss recommendation marks the first official guidance issued by the WHO in the obesity indication for this modality of therapy.
The number of people with obesity currently sits at more than one billion, with this projected to double by 2030.
WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Obesity is a major global health challenge that WHO is committed to addressing by supporting countries and people worldwide to control it effectively and equitably.
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By GlobalData“Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care. While medication alone won’t solve this global health crisis, GLP-1RA therapies can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms.”
With such a large market, the GLP-1RA drug sector has boomed in recent years. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are currently the two major players, with tirzepatide and semaglutide, respectively. Zepbound, the tirzepatide brand name for weight loss, generated $3.6bn in Q3 2025 alone – a 185% increase on the same period in 2024.
Revenue from its GLP-1RA segment was a primary factor in Lilly becoming the first healthcare company globally to reach a market cap of $1tn. Pfizer is also looking to enter the market, acquiring Metsera, a biotech developing longer-lasting GLP-1RAs, for $10bn in November 2025.
While sales continue to rise, the market experienced volatility during widespread shortages of GLP-1RAs in 2024. This was primarily to supply chain capacity in the face of unprecedented demand. The shortage also gave rise to the compounded GLP-1RA market, particularly in the US.
Lilly and Novo have since invested heavily in manufacturing, but according to the WHO, even with this rapid expansion in production, GLP-1RA therapies are projected to reach fewer than 10% of those who could benefit by 2030.
As part of its guidelines, the WHO called for the implementation of strategies to expand access, such as pooled procurement, tiered pricing, and voluntary licensing, among others.
It is unsurprising that most major pharma companies want access to the obesity sector, with GlobalData predicting the global obesity market will be worth $206.5bn in 2031, up from $12.3bn in 2021.
GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology.
