Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, through measures like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, because their usual hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
