Under 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to widen availability, via approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their normal hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.