Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and continuous care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests users may see weight return within a year of stopping the drug, as their usual food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese raises your risk for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
