Under a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, when their typical appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
