Fewer than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase availability, through approaches including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
These medications replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, because their normal hunger return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
