Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, as their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
