Under 10% of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, through approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, as their usual appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
