Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, via measures such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, as their typical food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
