Under a tenth of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users eat less.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese raises your risk for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
