Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to widen availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their normal appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
