Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for experiencing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
