Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase access, through measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence points to users may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, as their typical hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.