Under a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing care," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to widespread access to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen availability, through measures such as patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests users may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual appetite return.
To be carrying excess weight increases your risk for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
