Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the current best projected outlook, the supply of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, by measures like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the drug, because their typical food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese raises your risk for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
