Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
