Less than one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen availability, via approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the drug, when their normal appetite return.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
