Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, because their usual food cravings come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
