Fewer than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, through measures including patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, as their usual hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
