Fewer than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase availability, through measures such as licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return after a year of halting the treatment, when their usual food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
