Fewer than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
