Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand access, via measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
