Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, through strategies like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research suggests people may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, because their usual hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
