Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to universal access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current best projected case, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may see weight return a year later of halting the medication, because their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
