Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, because their normal food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
