Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, because their usual hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
