Less than a tenth of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen access, via measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
