Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the drug, when their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
