Less than 10% of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the medications.
Given more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to broad access to the jabs that can help people shift significant weight, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through measures like voluntary licensing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the core component of a leading brand – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Individuals commonly see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their usual hunger resume.
To be overweight or obese raises your risk for experiencing diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was linked to millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
