Fewer than one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase availability, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence points to users may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, as their usual appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
