Fewer than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
