Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, through measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
