Under 10% of patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the WHO as it releases its first recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the current most favorable outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The advice urges countries and companies to widen availability, through approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
These medications imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the drug, when their usual hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
