Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide currently obese, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to broad access to the injections that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand availability, through measures such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to people may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, when their usual appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in all nations and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
