Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase access, by measures like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so users eat less.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their typical appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
