Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase availability, through measures including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies points to people may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, because their typical food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
