Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, via approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, because their usual appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
