Less than one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to increase availability, through measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical food cravings come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
