Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its first recommendations on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their normal appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
