Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase access, via strategies like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, when their typical hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
