Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen availability, by approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, when their typical appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
