Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, by measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
