Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their typical hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
