Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to widen availability, by approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
