Under a tenth of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the medications.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
According to estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are significant obstacles to universal access to the injections that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present best projected case, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The guideline urges governments and firms to expand access, through measures such as voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the primary ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Injections Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness so individuals consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of starting on the weekly injections.
Studies indicates users may see weight return a year later of halting the drug, as their normal food cravings resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for developing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
