Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through measures including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the drug, when their usual food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.