WHO issues first guideline on GLP-1 medicines for obesity, with conditional backing

The World Health Organization published its first guideline on GLP-1 therapies (liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide) for treating obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease. It conditionally recommends them for long-term treatment in adults other than pregnant women, and suggests adding intensive behavioural support based on low-certainty evidence. WHO called the recommendation conditional because long-term efficacy and safety data are limited and costs and health-system readiness are concerns, and it projected that the drugs will reach fewer than 10% of those who could benefit by 2030.