Under 10% of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to universal availability to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic case, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to widen access, through measures such as licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, because their normal appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
