Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the organization.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Even under the current best projected case, the production of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, via strategies like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and enhance satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
