Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to expand availability, via approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to people may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
