Fewer than 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The advice urges governments and firms to widen access, through approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may see weight return within a year of stopping the drug, because their usual hunger return.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
