Less than one in 10 patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the drugs.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with comprehensive and lifelong support," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to widespread availability to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable scenario, the production of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, according to the WHO.
The guideline calls on nations and manufacturers to widen availability, through measures including patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Operate
The injections mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and increase satiety so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may put most of the weight back on within a year of halting the medication, as their typical hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
