Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen availability, via measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their normal food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
