Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase availability, through approaches like patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
