Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen access, via measures such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, as their usual food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
