Less than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to increase access, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
