Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the production of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their typical hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
