Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase access, via measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their normal hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
