Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current best projected outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to expand access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their normal appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
