Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen availability, through approaches like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
