Fewer than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their normal food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
