Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current best projected case, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their typical food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
