Under a tenth of people who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages governments and firms to increase availability, by approaches such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests patients may see weight return within a year of halting the drug, because their normal food cravings return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
