Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, because their usual food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese raises your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
