Under 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its inaugural advice on the medications.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, more than two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines affirms that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are significant obstacles to widespread access to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and enhance the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Patients commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on after a year of discontinuing the treatment, when their usual food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and specific malignancies.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
