Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected case, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, by strategies like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
