Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected case, the supply of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, because their typical food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
