Less than 10% of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the current most favorable case, the supply of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to expand access, by approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
The injections replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
