Less than one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand access, through approaches such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
People usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, when their usual hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
