Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it releases its first advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to expand availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, because their typical food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
