Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to universal availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic case, the supply of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures such as patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to patients may see weight return after a year of stopping the treatment, when their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
