Under one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most favorable case, the production of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand access, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people eat less.
People typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their normal food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
