Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant hurdles to widespread availability to the jabs that can help people shift significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present best projected scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen availability, via approaches like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to delay gastric emptying, suppress the appetite and increase feelings of fullness so users eat less.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research points to users may regain a significant portion after a year of stopping the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight raises your chance for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
