Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to expand access, through strategies like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their typical hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
