Overview

• The World Health Organization plans to officially recommend GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for obesity treatment in adults, marking a significant policy shift.
• WHO is also considering adding these drugs to its essential medicines list to support broader global availability, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
• Novo Nordisk has partnered with CVS Caremark and telehealth companies to expand access to Wegovy through discounts and preferred formulary placement starting July 2025.
• An Aon study reveals that employers covering GLP-1 drugs see a 7% drop in healthcare costs by the second year, driven by reduced cardiovascular events and other health improvements.
• Concerns remain over the high costs of these medications, with WHO and experts advocating for tiered pricing and pooled procurement to improve affordability in resource-limited settings.