Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to increase access, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
