Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Scarcity
Even under the present best projected case, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges countries and companies to increase access, by measures like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so users reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, when their typical hunger resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
