Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen availability, via measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
