Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase availability, through measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so people eat less.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their normal appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
