Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
