Fewer than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, via approaches such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
