Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
