Less than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to expand access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
