Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even under the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase availability, by measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
