Under one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial recommendations on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual hunger resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
