Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current best projected case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their normal appetite return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
