Under one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the production of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, by approaches including voluntary licensing.
A patent on semaglutide – the primary component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so users eat less.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the medication, as their typical food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your chance for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
