Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase access, through strategies like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
