Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via strategies including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, as their normal food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
