Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, because their usual appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
