Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, when their normal appetite come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
