Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase availability, through strategies like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their usual hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
