Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to expand availability, by measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, as their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
