Less than 10% of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy can access them, caution the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the therapies.
Considering more than one billion people worldwide now classified as obese, it is advocating for increased and just access to GLP-1 medication.
According to forecasts, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with comprehensive and ongoing treatment," remarked the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, constrained manufacturing, and distribution challenges are significant hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can assist patients in reducing significant weight, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the current most favorable outlook, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the health organization.
The recommendation urges nations and manufacturers to increase availability, via approaches including patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in several nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost feelings of fullness so people reduce food intake.
Patients usually start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research suggests people may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, because their normal appetite resume.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
