Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current best projected outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, by approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may see weight return a year later of stopping the treatment, because their normal appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
