Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the medication, as their usual hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
