Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to widen availability, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
