Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to universal access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, because their typical appetite return.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
