Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to widen access, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so people eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, when their normal food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
