Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, by strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
