Fewer than one in 10 patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their usual hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
