Under 10% of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its initial guidance on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and continuous support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the treatment, when their usual food cravings return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
