Fewer than a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic case, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by strategies like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, because their normal appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for contracting diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects people in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
