WHO considers obesity drugs for inclusion

For the first time, the World Health Organization is considering adding obesity drugs to its essential medicines list, which is used to guide government purchasing decisions in low and middle-income countries, according to the U.N. agency.

Three doctors and a researcher in the U.S. submitted a request to consider obesity drugs containing the active ingredient liraglutide in Novo Nordisk A S' NVO Saxenda, which is losing exclusivity soon, allowing for cheaper generic versions, as well as making way for a newer, more powerful treatment, from Novo Nordisk, to be recommended for low and middle-income countries.

The panel could reject the request or wait for more evidence. Francesco Branca, WHO director of nutrition, said at a press conference on Wednesday that they believe it is a work in progress.

He said that WHO was looking at the use of drugs to reduce weight in the context of a systematic review of guidelines for children and adolescents.

Saxenda, a once-daily injection, has been shown to help people lose 5% to 10% of their body weight at $450 per month in the U.S. and $150 per month in Europe.

Wegovy, a weekly injection costs more than $1,300 a month in the U.S. and helps people lose up to 15% of their weight.

Eli Lilly And Co LLY has a diabetes drug, called tirzepatide, which is under development for weight loss.

In October, the company said that it expects to initiate a rolling submission of a new drug application for tirzepatide in adults with obesity or overweight this year.

Price Action: NVO shares are up 0.64% at $156.32 on the last check Wednesday.