Archive · 5 Dec 2025
WHO Releases New Weight Loss Drug Guidelines
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines on using weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide for treating obesity.
These drugs are now recognised as essential medicines, and the guidelines recommend their use for long-term treatment in adults, except pregnant women.
The guidelines also suggest intensive behavioural therapy and lifestyle changes as co-interventions.
However, challenges like equitable access, high costs, and the need for robust health systems to manage obesity as a chronic disease remain.
In India, there is a need to embed screening and diagnosis of obesity at primary health centres and build secure procurement systems to ensure safe supply.
The guidelines aim to shift the perception of obesity from a lifestyle issue to a medical condition that requires holistic care.
WHO releases first-ever guidelines on using weight-loss drugs for obesity treatment.
Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide recommended for long-term use in adults, except pregnant women.
Intensive behavioural therapy and lifestyle changes suggested as co-interventions.
Challenges include equitable access, high costs, and the need for robust health systems.
India needs to embed obesity screening and diagnosis at primary health centres and build secure procurement systems.
- Who
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- What
- Released guidelines on using weight-loss drugs for obesity treatment
- When
- For the first time
- Where
- Globally
- Why
- To recognise obesity as a medical condition and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart diseases
- Guidelines for
- All adults except pregnant women
- Duration of treatment
- Six months or more
- Co-interventions
- Intensive behavioural therapy, lifestyle counselling, meal replacement
- Global coverage
- 10% of people living with obesity
- Cost challenges
- High prices, limited insurance coverage
- High-risk patients
- Adults with BMI over 35 or BMI over 30 with severe co-morbidities