Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current best projected case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, via measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, when their typical hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
