Less than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable case, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages countries and companies to widen availability, by strategies including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their normal food cravings return.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
