Safety

WHO calls for safer, supervised use of GLP-1 medicines

Safety committees highlight informal purchasing, off-label use and misinformation without issuing a warning against the entire class.

What happened

Two WHO safety advisory committees issued a joint statement on rapidly increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly for weight loss.

What we know

The statement highlights risks from obtaining medicines outside approved indications, regulated channels and professional supervision. It also encourages reporting adverse events through national pharmacovigilance systems.

What it does not say

It does not conclude that the whole class is unsafe or replace national product information. WHO's recommendation for adult obesity is conditional and sits within continuing care.

Why it matters

Safety depends partly on provenance, monitoring and responsible communication. Personal experiences may raise signals but cannot prove causation or replace official pharmacovigilance.

Transparency

Primary sources

  1. Statement on the safe and appropriate use of GLP-1 receptor agonists

    World Health Organization · 2026-07-30