Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
