Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it issues its initial advice on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous treatment," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most favorable scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their usual food cravings return.
To be overweight or obese raises your chance for contracting medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight affects people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
