Under one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to widen access, through strategies like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to users may see weight return within a year of halting the treatment, as their normal food cravings come back.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
