Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase availability, by strategies such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
