Under a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, via measures such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
