Under a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, through measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, when their normal appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
