Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Despite the present most favorable scenario, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by measures such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, when their usual appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
