Fewer than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to increase access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, as their normal food cravings come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
