Less than 10% of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the drug, because their typical hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
