Under one in 10 people who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy are able to get them, warns the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the therapies.
Given over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
According to projections, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key obstacles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, says the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable case, the production of these medications could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through strategies such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase satiety so individuals eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the treatment, because their usual appetite resume.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for contracting medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
