Under 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research points to people may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the treatment, as their typical food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
