Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to widen availability, through strategies including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Work
The injections imitate a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and enhance satiety so people consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates people may see weight return after a year of discontinuing the medication, when their normal food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
