Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase access, through strategies such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the medication, because their usual food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
