Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the global health agency as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present best projected case, the production of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The advice calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through measures including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Operate
The injections replicate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the medication, as their normal hunger return.
Being overweight or obese raises your risk for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
