Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to increase availability, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, as their usual hunger return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
