Fewer than 10% of individuals that would benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its first recommendations on the medications.
Given more than one billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a chronic disease that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are major barriers to broad access to the injections that can assist patients in reducing substantial body mass, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Shortage
Despite the current most optimistic scenario, the manufacturing of such drugs might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The recommendation urges governments and firms to widen access, by strategies such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost satiety so users reduce food intake.
Individuals typically see weight reduction in the initial weeks of beginning the weekly injections.
Studies suggests people may see weight return after a year of stopping the medication, as their normal hunger return.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns individuals in every country and was responsible for millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
