Under a tenth of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, because their normal hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
