Fewer than 10% of patients that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to 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 availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the agency.
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to increase availability, via strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Evidence indicates people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the drug, as their normal appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
Elena Hartwell is a multidisciplinary artist and educator passionate about fostering creative communities in London.