Fewer than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to expand access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, as their typical hunger come back.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
