Under 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, through strategies such as patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
