Less than 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, through approaches like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the drug, when their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
