Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the medication, as their typical appetite return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
