Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable case, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, because their usual food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
