Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and ongoing support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to widen access, through approaches including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Patients commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, because their normal hunger return.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
