Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic case, the supply of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen availability, via approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to people may see weight return after a year of halting the medication, as their usual hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
