Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by measures like patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, as their normal appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
