Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Considering over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the production of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the medication, when their typical hunger come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your chance for developing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
