Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.
People usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their usual hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
