Fewer than a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the drugs.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for more widespread and fairer availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key hurdles to widespread access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the supply of these medications would only suffice for about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The guideline calls on countries and companies to increase availability, through measures including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Operate
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, curb appetite and increase feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals commonly begin shedding pounds after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to patients may put most of the weight back on a year later of stopping the medication, when their typical hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese raises your risk for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
