Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, by strategies like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies points to people may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, because their typical appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
