Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, by strategies including patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Individuals usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, as their usual food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
