Fewer than 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand access, through strategies like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, when their normal appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
