Less than 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to expand access, by strategies such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, because their usual hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
