Under a tenth of patients who could benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its initial advice on the therapies.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on projections, over two billion will be obese by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are significant barriers to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, notes the organization.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover about 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation encourages nations and manufacturers to expand access, via strategies including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the main ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in several countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
The injections mimick a natural hormone to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and increase satiety so users eat less.
Patients usually see weight reduction within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies points to patients may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the treatment, as their typical food cravings resume.
To be above a healthy weight raises your risk for developing health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in countries worldwide and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
