Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
