Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable case, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen access, by approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, as their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
