Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, as their normal food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
