Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen access, via approaches including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their usual food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
