Under a tenth of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present best projected scenario, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, when their typical appetite return.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for developing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
