Less than 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand access, via measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, when their usual hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
