Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to expand access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the medication, when their normal appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
