Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests users may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their typical food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
