Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its first guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase access, by measures including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, when their typical appetite come back.
To be overweight or obese raises your chance for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
