Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their usual hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
