Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to widen access, by approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, as their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
