Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current best projected outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may see weight return a year later of stopping the medication, because their usual hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
