Less than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through measures such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, when their typical appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
