Fewer than 10% of individuals eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it issues its initial recommendations on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Per projections, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous care," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present best projected scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages governments and firms to expand availability, via measures like patent sharing.
A patent on a key compound – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, curb appetite and increase satiety so users consume fewer calories.
People typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to people may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, because their normal appetite return.
Being above a healthy weight raises your risk for contracting health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
