Less than 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the treatment, because their usual food cravings resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
