Under a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase availability, through measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, as their usual appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
