Under one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to expand access, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, when their usual food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
