Under a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current best projected outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase access, through measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, as their typical hunger return.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
