Less than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, by strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their usual food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
