Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic case, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
