Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the present best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
