Fewer than one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected scenario, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures like patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
