Under a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, as their usual hunger return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
