Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, via strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates patients may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their normal food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
