Less than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per estimates, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
These medications mimick a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the drug, when their normal hunger resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight affects individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
