Under 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the agency.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen availability, by measures including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for experiencing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
