Under 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present best projected outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to widen access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
People usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their usual hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
