Less than 10% of people that would benefit from weight-loss injections including Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the drugs.
Given in excess of 1,000,000,000 individuals worldwide now classified as obese, it is calling for increased and just availability to GLP-1 medication.
Based on forecasts, over two billion could be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"The new guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with holistic and lifelong treatment," said the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to universal access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the body.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of such drugs would only suffice for approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the health organization.
The advice encourages nations and manufacturers to increase availability, through approaches including voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on the active ingredient – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
How Obesity Jabs Work
GLP-1 drugs mimick a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so individuals eat less.
Patients typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of commencing the regular doses.
Studies indicates patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the treatment, when their typical food cravings come back.
Being overweight or obese increases your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and some malignancies.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was associated with over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the health agency.
