Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the production of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via strategies like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, because their typical food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
