Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the production of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research points to people may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, because their typical appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
