Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence suggests people may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
