Less than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand access, by approaches such as patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
