Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, because their normal hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
