Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by strategies like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, when their typical hunger return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
