Under 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates people may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, as their usual food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
