Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to widen access, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, because their usual food cravings return.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
