Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
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 thorough and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal hunger return.
To be overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
