Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to increase access, via measures such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, as their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
