Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, as their typical food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
