Less than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, by strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users eat less.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the treatment, because their typical hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
