Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand access, via approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their typical appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
