Under 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their normal food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
