Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it releases its initial guidance on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to expand access, through strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
These medications replicate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, because their normal appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
