Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, when their usual hunger return.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.