Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may see weight return after a year of halting the treatment, because their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
