Less than one in 10 individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected case, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, through approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests users may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, as their typical hunger return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
