Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, through approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of halting the medication, as their typical hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
