Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to widen access, through measures such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, when their usual hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
