Under 10% of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing treatment," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase access, via measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies points to users may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the medication, when their usual food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese increases your chance for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
