Under a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their usual hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
