Less than 10% of people that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches such as voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may see weight return a year later of halting the treatment, because their usual appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
