Under one in 10 people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present best projected outlook, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their normal food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
