Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people eat less.
People commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the medication, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.