Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to expand access, via measures like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
