Under one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their normal appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
