Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present most favorable case, the production of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to increase access, via strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their normal hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
