Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy are able to get them, states the World Health Organization as it publishes its first advice on the drugs.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
Per forecasts, more than two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our new guidance acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with thorough and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and logistical bottlenecks are major barriers to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of these medications could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand availability, through strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on a key compound – the main component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a natural hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests users may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, as their typical appetite come back.
Being above a healthy weight increases your risk for developing diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
