Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The advice encourages countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their usual food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
