Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
