Fewer than 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to widen availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
