Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to widen availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people eat less.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their normal hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
