Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, via measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, because their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
