Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their usual appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
