Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase availability, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests patients may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the drug, when their normal hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
