Under a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the treatment, when their typical appetite come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
