Under one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, through measures such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the treatment, because their typical food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
