Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests users may see weight return a year later of stopping the medication, when their usual food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
