Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
