Fewer than a tenth of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to widen access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
The injections mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their normal appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
