Fewer than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand availability, via measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, as their normal hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
