Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
