Under 10% of people eligible to benefit from weight-loss injections such as Wegovy have access to them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its initial recommendations on the therapies.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to this class of drugs.
Based on projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"The new guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be managed with holistic and ongoing support," said its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are key barriers to broad availability to the injections that can aid individuals in losing significant body mass, explains the organization.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even in the current most optimistic outlook, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach around 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, per the WHO.
The guideline encourages governments and firms to increase access, by strategies like voluntary licensing.
A patent on a key compound – the main ingredient of a leading brand – is scheduled to end in a number of nations in 2026.
How Obesity Drugs Function
The injections replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, suppress the appetite and boost satiety so people reduce food intake.
People typically see weight reduction within a few weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Evidence indicates people may regain a significant portion a year later of stopping the drug, because their typical hunger resume.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for developing medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and some cancers.
Excess weight concerns people in every country and was responsible for 3.7 million fatalities worldwide in 2024, according to the WHO.
