Under a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, because their usual hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
