Under 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected case, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, when their typical hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for developing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
