Under 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen access, through measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your chance for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
