Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand access, via approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the drug, when their usual hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
