Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it releases its initial 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.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, when their usual hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
