Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion 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 comprehensive and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, as their usual hunger return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
