Less than 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected scenario, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, because their typical appetite return.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
