Less than a tenth of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy can access them, states the global health agency as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
Per projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our new guidelines recognises that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, notes the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The guideline urges countries and companies to expand access, through measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Function
These medications replicate a body's own hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals reduce food intake.
People usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may regain a significant portion after a year of halting the drug, as their usual hunger return.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects individuals in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
