Less than one in 10 patients that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural recommendations on the medications.
With over a billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for increased and just availability to this class of drugs.
According to estimates, over two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and lifelong support," remarked its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can help people shift considerable weight, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to expand availability, by approaches like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the main component of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in several countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so people reduce food intake.
Individuals commonly start to lose weight in the initial weeks of starting on the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their typical appetite resume.
To be carrying excess weight increases your chance for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, brain attack, and some cancers.
Excess weight impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
