Less than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, because their typical appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
