Under a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to people may see weight return after a year of halting the drug, because their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
