Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen access, via strategies like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their typical food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
