Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first recommendations on the medications.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is urging increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance recognises that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be treated with comprehensive and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, notes the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, curb appetite and boost the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research points to people may see weight return within a year of discontinuing the treatment, because their normal appetite return.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk for contracting diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity affects people in every country and was responsible for over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the WHO.
