Under 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, through strategies including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, when their typical appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
