Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it issues its first guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift considerable body mass, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to increase availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Function
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests patients may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, when their normal hunger come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
