Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, via strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
