Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to increase access, via measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase the sense of being full so users eat less.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the drug, because their typical appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
