Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, through measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the drug, when their normal appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
