Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic case, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to expand access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to users may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, when their normal food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
