Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to widen availability, through approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
