Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their normal food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
