Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
