Fewer than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it publishes its first guidance on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift substantial weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The guideline encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, by approaches such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates users may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, when their typical hunger come back.
To be carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for contracting diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity affects people in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
