Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand access, via approaches including patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
