Less than 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic case, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their normal hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.