Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their normal food cravings resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
