Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the WHO as it issues its inaugural guidance on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, more than two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable case, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to increase availability, via strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients typically start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Excess weight concerns people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
