Under 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, via approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, as their typical hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
