Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to expand access, by measures including patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, when their normal appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
