Under one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidance affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing care," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can help people shift significant body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, via strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on a key compound – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs mimick a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of stopping the treatment, when their normal appetite resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
