Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
