Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their typical food cravings come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
