Fewer than a tenth of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, when their normal food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
