Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the drug, as their typical appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your chance for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
