Less than 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present best projected case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase access, by strategies including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the treatment, as their normal food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
