Less than 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
People usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, when their typical food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
