Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase satiety so users eat less.
Patients usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, because their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
