Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, via measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
