Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to universal access to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the drug, as their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
