Under one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and continuous care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand availability, via approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
The injections imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may see weight return after a year of halting the medication, because their usual appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
