Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, says the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the present most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual appetite come back.
To be above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
