Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, via approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their typical food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
