Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to increase access, through strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for experiencing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
