Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it issues its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen access, via strategies like voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests users may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, as their usual appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
