Less than a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and continuous care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people reduce food intake.
People typically start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, as their usual hunger return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
