Fewer than 10% of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first advice on the therapies.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging more widespread and fairer access 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 obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with holistic and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are major barriers to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most favorable outlook, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation urges countries and companies to increase access, through approaches like licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals reduce food intake.
People commonly start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, as their typical food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting medical conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
