Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Scarcity
Despite the present best projected outlook, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to widen access, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost satiety so users eat less.
People usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates users may see weight return after a year of halting the treatment, because their typical hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
