Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase availability, through approaches including patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests patients may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, because their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
