Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major hurdles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, by strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals consume fewer calories.
People commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests users may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, as their typical hunger return.
Being above a healthy weight increases your chance for developing health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
