Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
