Fewer than 10% of people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, via measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their usual food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
