Under a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via measures like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research points to users may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, as their typical food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
