Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand access, by measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the medication, as their usual hunger return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
