Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest 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.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the present best projected case, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their typical appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
