Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the present best projected scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand availability, through measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, when their normal hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
