Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, via strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their normal appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
