Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, via strategies including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
