Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase availability, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their typical hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
