Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase access, via measures like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, as their typical appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
