Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected case, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies suggests users may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, as their typical food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
