Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, because their typical hunger return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
