Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the drugs.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable case, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, via measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion within a year of stopping the drug, when their typical hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
