Under one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their typical hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
