Under 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present best projected case, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may see weight return after a year of halting the medication, because their usual hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
