Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to increase availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the drug, when their typical food cravings resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
