Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
