Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most favorable case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen availability, through measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, as their typical food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
