Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen access, by strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to patients may see weight return after a year of halting the drug, because their typical food cravings come back.
To be overweight or obese raises your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
