Under one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, when their usual hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
