Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Despite the present best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, via approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, when their normal appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
