Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to widen access, through approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the medication, when their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
