Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present best projected case, the supply of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, when their typical food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
