Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to universal access to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
