The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed optimism about the potential of a new class of weight loss drugs developed by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in addressing the global obesity pandemic.
The new GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, known as Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, have been hailed as having “the potential to be transformative” in treating obesity. However, the WHO’s chief scientist, Jeremy Farrar, and other experts emphasize that medication alone is not enough to address the crisis.
The agency notes that over 1 billion people worldwide are obese, with 5 million related deaths reported in 2019. The WHO acknowledges that policies aimed at healthy diets and regular physical activity have failed to treat obesity effectively and urges a comprehensive approach that includes social, public health, and clinical responses.
To address the issue equitably, the WHO is drawing up guidelines for using the new drugs in adults, including in low- and middle-income countries. The agency has also expressed concerns about how these treatments are being rolled out, particularly in models that intervene only when people have severe obesity or related conditions.
The organization is urging the pharmaceutical industry to make these treatments more accessible, affordable, and widely available to respond to the global obesity crisis. With the WHO’s guidelines set to be released in July 2025, the agency believes that this new class of drugs could mark a significant turning point in addressing the pandemic.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/weight-loss-drugs-could-help-end-obesity-risks-remain-who-says-2024-12-18