Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
