Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it issues its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, more than two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing care," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most optimistic case, the production of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to expand availability, via approaches such as voluntary licensing.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications mimick a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so users reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the medication, because their typical food cravings resume.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
