Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, because their typical hunger return.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
