Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to expand access, via approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence points to users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
