Under a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen access, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.
People commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, because their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
