Fewer than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, because their typical food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
