Fewer than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand access, via measures such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, because their normal hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
