Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, when their usual hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
