Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the drugs.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, by approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications imitate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so users eat less.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates patients may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their typical hunger return.
To be overweight or obese increases your chance for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
