Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
