Fewer than one in 10 patients that would benefit from weight-loss injections like Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it issues its first advice on the drugs.
With in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide currently obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to GLP-1 medication.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance affirms that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong care," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and supply-chain constraints are key barriers to broad availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing considerable weight, says the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the present most optimistic scenario, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the WHO.
The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, via measures such as patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on a key compound – the core component of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in multiple countries in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Jabs Function
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and enhance feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Patients typically see weight reduction after several weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Research suggests users may put most of the weight back on a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their normal appetite return.
To be overweight or obese increases your risk for experiencing diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
