Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to expand availability, by strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing health problems, like 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 WHO.
