Under a tenth of people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its inaugural guidance on the drugs.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current best projected outlook, the production of these medications might only reach approximately 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen availability, through strategies such as patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and increase satiety so users reduce food intake.
Patients usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Evidence suggests patients may regain a significant portion a year later of halting the drug, because their normal food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
