Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the medication, when their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
