Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through strategies such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their normal hunger come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
