Fewer than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to increase access, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may see weight return within a year of stopping the medication, as their typical appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
