Less than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to expand access, through strategies like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
