Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
