Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to increase access, by measures like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people eat less.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, because their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
