Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by strategies like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people eat less.
People commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, when their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
