In December 2025, the WHO issued its first-ever global guideline on the use of GLP-1 therapies for the long-term treatment of obesity in adults. This update marks a significant shift in how these therapies are positioned beyond diabetes care. This guidance recognises obesity as a chronic condition requiring long-term, integrated care and highlights GLP-1 therapies as one component of a broader clinical response to addressing metabolic health.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, 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. Our new guidance recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care”.

The guideline’s recommendations reflect evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists can contribute to meaningful weight loss when combined with behavioural and lifestyle support. However, the recommendation is conditional due to “limited data on their long-term efficacy and safety, maintenance and discontinuation, their current costs, inadequate health-system preparedness, and potential equity implications”.

These developments have come at a time when prescribing of GLP-1s has expanded rapidly, often outpacing formal rollout of NICE obesity guidelines and raising questions about equitable access across regions. Similarly, with rising demand and reports of falsified or substandard GLP-1 products, medicines governance takes on added complexity. Pharmacy professionals must continue to reinforce that GLP-1 drugs should be sourced via licensed supply chains and dispensed against legitimate prescriptions to ensure quality and safety.

As the therapeutic landscape for obesity continues to evolve, pharmacy professionals are uniquely positioned to shape how GLP-1 medicines are integrated safely, sustainably and equitably across the NHS. Monitoring emerging evidence on long-term impact, equitable access and value will continue to inform commissioning decisions and stronger prescribing governance will enable effective, evidence-based adoption.

By proactively guiding system-level planning and education, pharmacy teams can help ensure that the expanding use of GLP-1 therapies delivers long-term benefit for patients while safeguarding medicines optimisation across both hospital and primary care settings.