Fewer than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it issues its inaugural advice on the medications.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per forecasts, over two billion are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with thorough and continuous treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to broad availability to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to expand availability, through strategies such as patent sharing.
A patent on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
The injections imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates users may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, because their normal food cravings come back.
Being carrying excess weight elevates your risk for contracting health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
