Fewer than a tenth of individuals who could benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the global health agency as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
With more than one billion individuals worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
Per estimates, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines recognises that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with comprehensive and continuous support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to universal access to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Even in the present most optimistic case, the production of these medications could only cover around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to widen access, via strategies like patent sharing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in a number of nations in 2026.
The Way Obesity Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs imitate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Studies indicates people may put most of the weight back on within a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their normal hunger resume.
To be above a healthy weight increases your chance for contracting health problems, like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
