Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through measures such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
