Less than a tenth of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the body.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected case, the supply of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, as their usual appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your chance for contracting diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
