Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the medication, because their typical food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
