Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its first advice on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
