Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, when their normal food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
