Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, via approaches such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, when their normal appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
