Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, via approaches including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their normal food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
