Less than a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the global health agency as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and ongoing care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, through approaches such as licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on after a year of halting the medication, as their typical food cravings come back.
To be above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
