Under one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial advice on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and lifelong support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice urges governments and firms to expand access, through measures like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, when their typical hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
