Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase access, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
