Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, says the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the current best projected outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline urges governments and firms to increase availability, by measures like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core 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 imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the treatment, because their typical hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
