Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with thorough and lifelong treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, by approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals eat less.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight raises your risk for experiencing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
