Fewer than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, when their usual hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
