Under 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current best projected outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, as their typical food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
