Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, via approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, when their normal food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
