Fewer than 10% of patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic case, the production of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand access, through strategies including licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Patients typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Evidence points to people may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the drug, because their typical hunger return.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for developing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity concerns individuals in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
