Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase availability, through measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
These medications imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their usual appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
