Less than one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to expand access, by strategies such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, as their typical appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
