Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its first recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the present best projected case, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen access, via measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
