Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand access, via measures including patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, because their usual hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
