Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, via measures including patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence points to users may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, as their typical hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
