Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current best projected case, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to increase availability, via approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so people eat less.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
