Less than a tenth of people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it issues its first guidance on the therapies.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently classified as obese, it is urging increased and just availability to these injectable treatments.
According to projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with thorough and ongoing care," stated WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, constrained manufacturing, and logistical bottlenecks are significant hurdles to broad availability to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach about 100 million people – under 10% of the global need, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand access, by measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the primary component of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Operate
These medications imitate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and enhance satiety so users consume fewer calories.
Patients usually see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies suggests users may regain a significant portion within a year of discontinuing the medication, when their typical appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese elevates your risk for developing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers.
Obesity concerns people in countries worldwide and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
