Less than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase availability, by strategies including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
