Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, as their typical appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
