Under one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and continuous treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests people may see weight return within a year of stopping the treatment, because their normal appetite return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
