Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to widen availability, by approaches like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
The injections replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
People commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return after a year of halting the drug, when their typical appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
