Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand access, via strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, when their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
