Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen availability, by measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return after a year of halting the medication, because their typical hunger return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
