Under 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase access, via strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people eat less.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates users may see weight return a year later of halting the medication, as their normal hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
