Less than one in 10 people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, states the WHO as it publishes its initial guidance on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide now living with obesity, it is urging broader and more equitable access to GLP-1 medication.
Per estimates, more than two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are major obstacles to broad access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, says the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Despite the current best projected scenario, the production of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of the global need, per the health organization.
The advice urges countries and companies to widen availability, via approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Operate
GLP-1 drugs mimick a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance feelings of fullness so people eat less.
Individuals usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research points to people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, because their usual appetite return.
To be above a healthy weight raises your likelihood for contracting health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain malignancies.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was linked to 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
