Less than a tenth of patients who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant barriers to broad availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial body mass, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, via strategies like licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Obesity Jabs Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on after a year of stopping the treatment, as their typical appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
