Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase availability, through measures including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
