Under one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
