Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand access, via approaches such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
