Less than one in 10 individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it publishes its inaugural advice on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to projections, over two billion are projected to be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and ongoing treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and distribution challenges are major obstacles to universal access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing significant body mass, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the present most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of those who need them, according to the WHO.
The guideline calls on governments and firms to increase availability, through strategies including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is due to expire in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and increase the sense of being full so people consume fewer calories.
Patients usually begin shedding pounds within a few weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research suggests people may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their normal hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your likelihood for developing health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Obesity affects individuals in every country and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
