Fewer than one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, warns the WHO as it issues its initial recommendations on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, via approaches such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.
Patients commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to users may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite come back.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing medical conditions, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
