Fewer than one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
