Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase availability, by measures like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may see weight return a year later of stopping the drug, when their typical appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
