Under one in 10 people eligible to benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, caution the WHO as it publishes its initial advice on the therapies.
Given over a billion individuals worldwide currently classified as obese, it is calling for more widespread and fairer access to this class of drugs.
According to projections, in excess of 2,000,000,000 will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidelines affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with thorough and lifelong treatment," stated its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad availability to the jabs that can help people shift substantial weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Despite the present most optimistic scenario, the production of such drugs could only cover approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of eligible patients, per the health organization.
The advice calls on countries and companies to expand availability, by approaches including licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the main component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is scheduled to end in several nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Operate
The injections replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, curb appetite and boost feelings of fullness so individuals eat less.
Individuals usually begin shedding pounds in the initial weeks of commencing the weekly injections.
Research indicates users may see weight return a year later of stopping the medication, as their usual appetite come back.
Being overweight or obese elevates your likelihood for experiencing diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in all nations and was associated with 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
