Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected case, the supply of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand availability, through approaches such as patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their typical hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
