Under one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase availability, via strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical hunger return.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for developing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
