Fewer than one in 10 patients eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy are able to get them, caution the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the drugs.
With over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand access, via measures like patent sharing.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
These medications replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
People commonly see weight reduction after several weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may put most of the weight back on a year later of halting the medication, as their normal hunger come back.
To be overweight or obese elevates your chance for contracting medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some malignancies.
Obesity concerns people in all nations and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
