Under a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
