Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the body.
GLP-1 Therapy Shortage
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, via strategies such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their usual appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your chance for experiencing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
