Less than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their normal food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
