Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, because their usual food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
