Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, because their normal hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
