Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even under the present best projected scenario, the production of these medications would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to widen access, by measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests patients may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, as their usual hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
