Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
