Fewer than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the treatment, when their typical appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
