Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current best projected case, the supply of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, because their normal food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
