Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, as their normal appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
