Fewer than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal access to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, through approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
These medications mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, as their typical appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
