Under one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable case, the supply of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their normal hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
