Fewer than 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen access, by measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
