Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, as their normal food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
