Under one in 10 people who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can help people shift considerable body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic case, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to expand availability, via strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance satiety so people eat less.
Patients commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies points to patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their typical hunger come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your chance for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
