The Gates Foundation and the Pan American Health Organization, or PAHO, are looking to expand access to weight-loss drugs, like Eli Lilly's (LLY) tirzepatide and Novo Nordisk's (NVO) semaglutide, in lower income countries, Reuters reported Friday.

Reuters cited separate interviews with Microsoft (MSFT) founder Bill Gates and PAHO director Jarbas Barbosa.

The Gates Foundation could help provide data for the drugs' expansion by supporting clinical trials that will assess the medicines' effect on different populations, Reuters cited Gates as saying.

Meanwhile, Barbosa told Reuters that PAHO is "starting the conversation" over expanded access to the weight-loss drugs and plans to speak with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and generic drugmakers within the next few weeks.

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comments.

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