Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by approaches including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their usual hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
