Under 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, because their normal appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
