Under one in 10 patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present best projected outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to widen access, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, when their normal food cravings come back.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
