Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via approaches like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people eat less.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, when their usual food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
