Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to widen access, through approaches like patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their usual appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
