Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its initial guidance on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with holistic and continuous support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key obstacles to universal availability to the treatments that can help people shift significant weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages countries and companies to widen access, by measures such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for experiencing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
