Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to widen access, through strategies like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
These medications imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, because their typical food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
