Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just 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 latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through strategies including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so people eat less.
Patients usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, as their normal food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
