Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the current best projected case, the supply of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to widen availability, via strategies such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the drug, as their typical appetite come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
