Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies points to people may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the medication, when their usual appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
