Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand access, via approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
