Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, via strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, when their usual hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
