Under a tenth of individuals eligible to benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy have access to them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and continuous treatment," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, via approaches including voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Work
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Evidence suggests patients may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the medication, as their typical hunger return.
To be above a healthy weight increases your risk for experiencing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
