Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, by approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
